Today's Scripture Readings
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 98 (BCP., p.727).
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,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.
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
John 1: 1-14 (NRSV)
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
It happens every December the 25th. We as Christians celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year we read and hear the beautiful Scripture texts about Mary, Joseph and Jesus and the Word made Flesh from St. John's Gospel. We gather to sing beautiful Christmas Carols and hear Lessons read. Our churches are beautifully adorned with wreaths, greens, candles, lights and (hopefully) a beautiful creche displaying the scene at Bethlehem. We gather with our families and friends. We make phone calls. We wrap gifts. We post our holiday greetings on Facebook and Twitter. People like myself write blogs. As Christians we adorn and adore the Christ child as we recall how He was born through the womb of Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
Every year, I marvel at how peaceful Christmas Day is for us, while in various places in the country and our world this day is anything but peaceful and joyous. Way too many children and families live in poverty. Our neighborhoods are riddled with news of gun violence and racial prejudice. Each day and year, families are torn asunder by religious fundamentalists who have to use this Christmas Day to plaster the holiday dinner conversations with Scripture verses erroneously used to condemn lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people, families and couples. The same folks use the Bible as a weapon of mass destruction on health care reform, why we should not accept the Syrian refugees on the basis that they are Muslims, on women and many other minorities that could be mentioned. Somewhere in some home, the conversations will include the condemnation of immigrants and the whole notion of helping our neighbors in need as Jesus taught us to do in Matthew 25: 21-46 is being thrown aside as being an example of socialism.
The fact of the matter is, the arrival of the Christ Child is a messy story. There was no room for them in the inn. Rose from The Golden Girls was right. They should have called ahead to make reservations. Too bad God didn't give them a cellphone. Maybe there was no signal on the one they had. What the story tells us, is that God comes to us as one like us, as one so vulnerable with only a manger to lay his new born human body. The world around Him and the Holy Family was a mess. The people of Israel were under enormous oppression from King Herod and the Roman Empire. The religious establishment of the times were in turmoil with leaders who were more interested in their power of the people they served, than remembering that the heart of the Law is about mercy and justice for all people. The message of the Nativity is a messy story. There was no glittering lights, except a star. No joyful singing with the exception of Angels who greeted the shepherds singing, Glory to God in the highest. The glory of the moment was that God entered our human chaos; bringing the Light of God into our darkness and walking with us in that darkness. "If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike." (Psalm 139:10-11, BCP, p.794).
Whatever mess your life is in. Wherever you feel chaos, injustice, oppression, discrimination, powerlessness and/or loneliness. Whether it is the death of a parent, a child, a spouse, anyone that you love or the loss of a meaningful relationship. Whether it is an addiction or behavior that you feel like you have no control over. Whether you feel like no one loves you or cares that you are hurting. Know that God came to all of us in Christ Jesus into our messes and chaos to tell us that "God is with us, Emmanuel." (See Matthew 1:18-23). All that matters to God, is that you know that you are loved by the God who loves us in Christ Jesus, His Beloved Son, our Lord. He is Lord not as a slave owner as some suggest the word means. Jesus is Lord in that He is the source of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love who will raise you up not unlike the symbol of the Phoenix.
May all of us embrace one another in this Christmas Season. May we be the light in the midst of the darkness for the world around us. May we be consoled and renewed by the Light who is born for us; the Incarnate Word. His Name is Jesus the Christ.
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. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 212)
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. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 212)
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. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 213).
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).
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