This Nativity sermon draws on Exodus 40 and John 1 to trace God’s presence from Eden to the tabernacle and, finally, into the person of Jesus: Emmanuel who dwells with his people.

The tabernacle served as a miniature cosmic temple; in Christ the true temple is made flesh, restoring access to God through his life, death, and resurrection and making the gathered church the living temple.

This Christmas message proclaims victory over death, the gift of baptism and grace upon grace, and calls us to rejoice: Emmanuel has come to dwell with us.