nestled high up in the mountains, a little chapel sits serenely. Nearby pine trees sparkle with snow, painting the scenery shades of pearl and emerald. The chapel is ensconced in trees, surrounded by forest and mountains; it seems so simple set against nature’s grandeur. And yet how striking, like a diamond mounted aloft for the all the world to see. Stained-glass windows glow with a warmth that emanates from within the sanctuary, a light that paints panes gold. A collection of candles sits in windowsills, like angels lighting the path home. As if crowned, the chapel wears a steeple that reaches to the very heavens, culminating in a cross that stands, triumphant, against mountaintops and passing clouds.
This sweet chapel beckons visitors in all seasons; charming, peaceful, and gentle as ever. As spring sweeps in, the snow melts and uncovers meadows, a riot of color and charming beauty. Ruffled buttercups and wild daisies dance in the wind and paint the pastures pastel colors. Summer mornings are bathed with light and with the songs of larks and sparrows, while autumn lends the chapel a wistful and dignified beauty. As Advent approaches, everything looks uncommonly beautiful, buried under ice and snow. The chapel itself seems to wait—wait for the arrival of Christ, the glorious incarnation, the longed-for Messiah, the indescribable gift.
On a winter’s day
the chapel is graced with the beauty of its people. The little wooden doors admit many souls: some weary, others rejoicing; some heavy laden, others light; some desperate for answers and others longing just to praise to the Lord. The chapel offers refuge: a place to be sheltered under His wings, gathered in the Everlasting arms. People come together to pray, share, study, wed, mourn, repent, receive, and above all, glorify Christ. Some need bread and practical, down to earth love—and hopefully they find something more, the Bread of life. Every traveler is torn from heaven and longing for it—whether he fails to recognize it or not—and some find union and wholeness by surrendering to the Savior.
Every soul is desperate for reunion with God. For an encounter with life changing love.
Every day,
When brides and grooms say vows in the little chapel, the witnesses receive a glimpse of the more beautiful covenant; the unbreakable union, oneness, and wholeness we find by grace through faith in Christ alone.
The chapel itself is not the end destination, but its steeple points heavenward, hinting at the beauty to come. Occasionally, heaven pours forth its glory, and the praying soul finds a special manifestation of the Savior’s love.
The Presence of One more beautiful, more holy, more perfect than we dare imagine indwells this place. Immanuel is pleased to make His home here and look upon the beauty of His bride. He washes her white, clothes her in righteousness, and declares her positively full of radiance, without any spot or any flaw whatsoever. One day,
He will present her faultless before the throne of God, faultless with exceeding joy. As His conviction falls upon His people, as many as receive Him receive salvation and His abiding Presence.
is subject to the passage of time and the decay of the age—its door hinges need fixing, its paint needs re-painting, and its people need mending. But one day, all will be made well. She, the church, the bride, shall dwell in the Presence of the Lord, the true sanctuary. Old bodies and faulty buildings will be exchanged for glory unspeakable and praise unending. Even now, the veil has been torn, access to God has been restored, and He delights to make His temple in the hearts of His children. On common days, He pours out His glory and His graces. The chapel exists to point others to their beloved Savior. One day He will come back. Until then, the little chapel stands: watchful, expectant, faithful, hopeful. Longing and looking for the object of her worship and adoration.
“And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” -Isaiah 62:5