... visited earth and watched Christians, both in church and out but couldn't understand either the spoken or written word then what impression would they take away with them about our faiths
Who or what would they think was the primary focus for our faith?
What would they think were the two most important commandments we had been given?
What would our body language and our actions communicate about the different value of individuals or groups those with disabilities those from different ethnic groups the young the elderly and those who are carers?
I hope these creatures would realise that our faith is in a God of love, who gives a new start to all who put their trust in him, but who requires that we love all people not just those whom we like or have a lot in common with
Of course I don't believe we will be visited by creatures from outer space but we are observed by people.
Each week adult Christians are observed by children and young people who pick up from our body language, by the welcome they receive by their inclusion in the worship, what we really thing their value is in the kingdom of God.
We're observed by those people who don't understand the words to use because they're not part of their vocabulary and we're observed by those who don't hear our words because they are deafened by our body language.
As a result we stop these people young, old, and middle aged from hearing for themselves that which we meet to celebrate: that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.