In the Nicene Creed, English worshippers encounter the word incarnate: “For us and our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human.”

This word “incarnate” (also seen in the Spanish encarnó) reflects the Latin translation (incarnatus est) of the original Greek of the Creed (σαρκωθέντα). “Incarnate” means “enfleshed” or “in human form”—from the Latin in carne, which means “in the flesh.” Of course, this statement in the Creed echoes John 1:14: “The Word became flesh (σὰρξ ἐγένετο) and dwelt among us.”

Here is the mystery and marvel of Christmas! At Christmas, we celebrate how Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune God, took on a full human nature, so that ever afterward he is both true God and true man. Christmas can be called the “Festival of the Incarnation.”

The implications are enormous! Think of how important we as human beings must be in the eyes of God, if he—as the almighty creator and Lord of the entire universe—was willing to take on human flesh and become one of us. God loves the human race so much he decided to become our brother.

But we also know the final purpose of this incarnation—the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. Here is what confessional Lutheran churches teach according to Augsburg Confession, Article III:

They teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God, took upon himself human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary so that there might be two natures, divine and human, inseparably conjoined in the unity of one person, one Christ, truly God and truly a human, being “born of the Virgin Mary,” who truly “suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried” that he might reconcile the Father to us and be a sacrifice not only for original guilt but also for all actual sins of human beings.

By becoming incarnate, Jesus was able to fulfill God’s law as our substitute and to die on the cross to pay for sin. Jesus became a human so that we could be reconciled to the Father.

May you and your church rejoice in these truths again in this special season. Christmas is not just a birthday party for Jesus. Christmas is when we ponder the mystery of the incarnation upon which our eternal salvation depends.

Thomas P. Nass, CELC President

P.S. The work of the international CELC continues behind the scenes. The Global Theological Education Commission is planning an online conference for theological educators on February 1-3, 2024. The CELC Planning Committee is starting to make plans for the international convention in Zambia in 2026. Please share a report if you have news from your church, or if you are having a CELC regional meeting in 2024.

Over three years ago, a few South Asian Lutheran Evangelical Mission (SALEM) members who emigrated from Hong Kong to New Zealand began meeting online with SALEM leadership for Bible study and fellowship. This group, located in Auckland, has grown to over 20 members.

In January 2023, they began a monthly worship gathering facilitated by local leaders, and they continue to meet every week online and in person. Thirteen members of their group are currently enrolled in a foundational course at Asia Lutheran Seminary.

These brothers and sisters welcome all newcomers to their group with open arms. They want to see many more Chinese-speaking people brought to faith and strengthened in Christ, and there are countless opportunities to do just that. Chinese people already make up five percent of the population of New Zealand, and experts predict that this number will grow to ten percent in the next 20-30 years.

We thank God for opening this door of gospel outreach in New Zealand, and we pray that God will bless SALEM as they take up this new mission work.

From the WELS Missions blog

Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI), a Spanish-speaking church in Latin America, has officially applied for membership in the CELC. This church was formed in 2021 by fourteen congregations—all WELS missions—from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bolivia, and Venezuela. It is a landing place for congregations that grow out of Academia Cristo, a multi-faceted program of Bible instruction and church planting in Latin America. 

According to the CELC membership guidelines, a church seeking membership in the CELC should do the following:

• request membership through a letter to the CELC President,
• obtain a recommendation for membership from at least one CELC church that is in formal church fellowship with it, and
• submit its constitution and doctrinal statement(s) to the CELC President at least one year before the triennial convention at which the membership request will be considered.

All of these materials have been received from the ICWI, including a membership request signed by ICWI President Henry Herrera and a letter of recommendation signed by WELS President Mark Schroeder. Any member church of the CELC that would like to see the ICWI documents should contact the CELC President, and he will share them.

In keeping with the CELC constitution, the CELC Commission on Theology will officially evaluate the membership request and will bring a recommendation to the next triennial convention, which is being planned for 2026 in Zambia, Africa.

We are thankful for the prospect of adding another church in Latin America and for the prompt application. Any other church that is contemplating membership should be aware of the steps that are necessary and the application deadline—one year in advance of the convention.  
 
Submitted by the CELC Planning Committee

The Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Zambia Synod (LCCA-Z) joyfully gathered for the installation of Pastor Chibikubantu Simweeleba as the new principal on Saturday, September 16, 2023, on the Lutheran Seminary campus in Lusaka, Zambia. Pastor Simweeleba is the seminary’s fifth principal in its nearly 60-year history. He is the second Zambian national pastor to fill this call.

Seminary Board of Control Chairman Pastor Edward Bangwe officiated at the morning service. Pastor David Baloyi based his sermon on the theme “Be Strong and Courageous!” from Joshua 1:1-9. Following the sermon, several area pastors shared their blessings and encouragement for Principal Simweeleba during a laying-on-of-hands ceremony.

A short program followed the service. LCCA-Z chairman Pastor Davison Mutentami brought the new principal greetings from the synod, encouraging Pastor Simweeleba to be among the synod’s pastors and members as an ambassador for the Seminary. The Simweelebas received well wishes and gifts from the attendees. The festivities concluded with a fellowship luncheon.

Pastor Simweeleba has been a pastor since 2009 and has served on the faculty of the Lutheran Seminary beginning in 2018. His responsibilities as principal will now take him beyond the seminary campus. He will use his experience in ministry to reach the synod’s membership as the face of the Seminary to recruit new students, to nurture collaboration with the synod’s pastors and lay leadership, and along with the seminary faculty and the Board of Control, to tailor the Seminary’s instructional program to meet the future ministerial needs of the LCCA-Z.

 

Submitted by Pastor Anthony Phiri,
Dean of the Lutheran Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CELC Planning Committee has started its planning for the next triennial CELC convention, scheduled for 2026 in Zambia, Africa.

If you have any suggestions for possible essay topics or essayists, now is the time to pass your ideas along to the Planning Committee. Please email the CELC President at: president@celc.info.

Any church that would like to apply for CELC membership is reminded that all applications and supporting materials need to be received by May 2025. The Membership Guidelines can be found under Membership Guidelines on the CELC website.

We pray that God will bless the CELC with the ability to meet in Zambia in 2026, with representation from many churches. All depends on God’s grace through Christ Jesus.

Submitted by the CELC Planning Committee