The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: God's Love in Christ has Arrived.

Today's Scripture Readings are a mixture from the various Liturgies for Christmas.  As with year's past, there are two Gospel Readings here.

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness--

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725).


Titus 3:4-7 (NRSV)

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Blog Reflection

Christmas is among the most difficult celebrations to write a good blog post.  Everyone who celebrates this day as the religious holy day that it is, is hearing a lot of what I may write here in their churches.   Others for whom this day is not a religious focus for them, might find my words here to be another Christian trying to ruin their day.  If you are a Christian that opposes the things I have been writing about in this blog for the past four years, this blog post is another opportunity for you to see just how off the left deep end I may have gone.  If you are a Christian who is not so sure of where you are, my blog may add to your confusion.

The Christmas mystery is so full of beauty, celebration, memories both good and bad, that to write about what the Scriptures are about today, seems almost unnecessary.   As usual, I beg to differ.  The mystery of the Word made flesh is always being born a new in us.  Being born again is not a matter of a once in a life time event, it occurs every time Jesus reveals more about Himself to us.  As He draws us closer to His Presence in each other, the Christian Faith becomes a renewed part of how we live, how we talk, and hopefully how we act.

There is little question that there is much darkness in our world.  It is not a darkness that is a matter of physical light vs. blackness of night.  It is an absence of solitude.  A denial of the need to understand one another.  A loneliness experienced because of an emptiness.  A desire to be fulfilled, but, not being validated.
 
I think Mary and Joseph must have felt that darkness, loneliness and desire as they wandered their way into Bethlehem.  A young girl in labor.  A husband, with the duty to protect her and to see the safe arrival of the baby ready to come out, ready or not.  There is no room in the local inn.  There was no telephone or email to search for the nearest hospital, doctor or Super 8 motel.  No grand ball room, or Cathedral church prepared to dance the Christmas night away, after the Child was born.   Those came after, and rightly so.  Returning to the Nativity event, Jesus was born in the midst of confusion, disarray and life's messy moments.  Whether it was a Manger stable or a cave, does not really matter as far as I am concerned.

Composer John Rutter, set to music the beautiful words that Christiana Rossetti wrote about the wonder that happened.

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith the sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and Love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea, and gift and sign.

The Love of God was Incarnate right in the middle of our darkness, loneliness, unfulfilled desire.   The long awaited Messiah came not like a mighty warrior or a King leading armies into battle.  He came as one so small, helpless and vulnerable.  A Child born of a young, poor mother and carpenter of a father.  Into the midst of our human mess.  Yet, He was a King.  He was a ruler.  Yet, He was merciful, loving, accepting, inclusive and He changed the world for all time.

John Rutter set his own poem to beautiful music in the Christmas Lullaby with these words.

Where are His courtiers, and who are His people?
Why does he bear neither silver nor gold?
Shepherds His courtiers, the poor for His people,
with peace as His scepter, and love for His crown.

In our age of billionaires controlling everything from the initial roll out of the Affordable Care Act's web site, keeping back a vote for the thousands who will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month, and food stamps for those who are most vulnerable; Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of God's Self is born as one who gives Himself, vulnerable, helpless and yet at the will of His Father.   He comes not to end poverty, injustice or even oppression.  He comes to empower us to do these things, and to walk with us in our efforts. 

If there is one Scripture that I wish were included each year in the Christmas Liturgy it would be 2 Corinthians 8:9.  "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."   If I were to reword this to reflect our Christmas meditation, it would read something like this.  "For our generous Lord Jesus Christ though he was rich in that He had everything and could do anything, for our sakes became poor, without anything and could do nothing, so that we who think we can do nothing will know that through Him, we can do just about anything we set our mind to."  Including, but not limited to, bringing the light of truth, the hope of justice, liberty from prejudice and violence all because our Lord Jesus Christ loved us so much, He gave it all up for our salvation.

As we join our church communities, families and friends to celebrate the coming of Christ among us as one like us, let us pray and discern together how we might greet Him on this happy morning, in those who are poor, lonely, disenfranchised and in need of being included. 

May every daughter, son, grand daughter, grand son, step son, step daughter, sister, brother, father, mother, cousin, niece, nephew, etc. be welcomed to our dinner tables regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. 

May every person find a place to receive the Incarnate Word in the Holy Eucharist, and praise God with their voices and lives.

May Christ truly bring peace on earth through our efforts this Christmas Season and all through out the New Year. 

A blessed and holy Christmas Season to you and those whom you love.   And may everyone, because of God's love, be loved today.

Amen.

Prayers

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth
of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully
receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence
behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the
brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known
the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him
perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he
lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever. Amen.   (All Christmas Collects are from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 212, 213).