Fourth Sunday After Pentecost: Planting Seeds of Justice and Inclusion

The readings for this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word are filled with images of seeds, rain, sowers and the soil itself.  Traditionally these images are interpreted as meaning that the "seed" that is spoken of is the Holy Bible.  The result of such interpretations is that the Bible is the "truth in print" and therefore those who translate the Scriptures literally to mean exclusion are doing the right thing.

In our reflection we will take a small journey together to look at how the Scripture that Christians hold tight to has it's human flaws and therefore cannot be taken more seriously than the life lived by God's perfect revelation of Self in Jesus.



Scriptural Basis

Isaiah 55:10-13 (NRSV)

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy,

and be led back in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

shall burst into song,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;

instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;

and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial,

for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 (NRSV)

Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!"

"Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Out in Scripture suggests:

God, previously seen as oppressive in allowing the exile, is now presented as the one who liberates from it. Here God’s purposes expressed through God’s word center on life and hope. The exiles are challenged to hold on. They are promised return to their land and the abundant, extravagant, flourishing of all creation. There are no boundaries to God’s goodness, including LGBT communities.  No matter what, all belong in God’s life-giving purposes. The affirmation of God’s faithfulness emerges from their lived experience.

Christianists often make the presumption that because of a sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression that is different, that somehow the individual(s) has/have "chosen" a life apart from God's creative and redemptive grace.

Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression comes from the soul of who a person is. Lesbian, gay, straight, pansexual, metro-sexual a-sexual, bisexual, single gender minded or transgender are all part of God's creative natural law. The soul God gives to each individual is a divine gift out of love with love as it's ultimate purpose and destiny.   That love was not created and sent with the purpose of being worthless or left on the margins of society or the Church.   It is a love given to love freely and openly.  To give as well as receive.

LGBT people seek those communities and opportunities to be able to live out their expressions of love without being scandalized by false information and senseless acts of violence.  The very freedom God offers through this word that is written about is for all people.  Not just a selected few because religion, race, culture, sexual and gender diversity, language, etc.

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus is telling a parable. Jesus wants those listening to create a picture in their minds.  The problem with this Gospel is that it was written after the disciples would have told their stories to others, who would have retold those stories.   So, it is not at all certain that every word, meaning and conversation is really as is, but most likely is someone's translation.  Yet, what we have is not without it's applicable meaning.

Again, Christianists and those who propose an exclusionary and psycho-pathetic understanding of God, use this Gospel to suggest that if we do not hear the "infallible word of God" as such, and transcribe that into some kind of political and social enterprise by which Christianity conquers all other religions, cultures and so on, then someone has done something wrong.  A careful reading of this Gospel with some realistic understandings will suggest that exclusion is far from it's meaning.

Included within this story is a variety of people and abilities to hear and understand what God is saying.  No two people hearing the "seed that is the word" are alike. In some cases, even those that appear irrelevant, the seeds were used to do something that inspired others to think or act. Contrary to what we may think the texts are saying, those that were not planted on a particular kind of soil were not totally lost causes. Nor were they without some kind of hope.

Out in Scripture offers some additional thoughts for us to consider.

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 urges readers to have “understanding” or discerning “ears.” Crucial to the parable is hearing or discerning what God is like and how God acts. The parable describes God’s indiscriminate sowing or reaching out to all people, as well as the abundant, extravagant, fruitful life that follows for those who continue in relationship with God. Often distorted hearing or “closed ears” hatefully try to restrict God’s sowing by declaring exclusions from God’s work. But the parable’s reference to “hundredfold” yield offers a much bigger and more beautiful vision.

For LGBT communities, the parable points not just to “coming out” but to an abundant and fruitful life marked by, among other things, a radical inclusivity that transcends all boundaries, as well as by joy and celebration. Seeds need to be resilient to grow. But they have to move beyond survival to fruitfulness or flourishing. Discerning ears participate with wonder and awe in the goodness of God’s abundant ways.   

I would like to add to this the idea that those who were "scorched because they had no root" could very easily refer to those who interpret the word by their own literal interpretation.  Rather than applying it to an opportunity to better all people, such individuals root their meanings and action in capitalistic enterprises that are created to encourage hate and horrible violence.  

LGBT people and many others who are marginalized by society and the Church are in such great positions to be that good soil, that brings forth a hundred fold good. Because we have experienced stigmatization we know what it is to search for healing and company from others who are like us and find those who are angry and unforgiving.  We are able to understand and even become agents of healing and reconciliation where possible.

Some of the best stories told that move the hearts and minds of people, are those told by individuals wounded by oppression and violent rhetoric/behavior yet hold strong to their faith or even help to build new communities.  This kind of thing cannot be overlooked nor should it be.   

The story of a mother and father about their gay son who died in Afghanastan, who now use their experience and voices to raise awareness about the need for full equality for LGBT people do so much good for so many people.  

How could we have learned the dangers of HIV/AIDS if those affected by the disease did not come forward and show us through their suffering and even deaths, that something in our world needs to change?

Without the stories and example of a woman named Rev. Irene Monroe, we would never know what the experience of being a liberal, black, feminist, lesbian street preacher is like.

If Bishop Gene Robinson had not been elected and ordained as Bishop of New Hampshire, his experiences and devotion would not be known.  His work on behalf of LGBT people in the Anglican Communion and around the world would not be the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit that it is.

If those first protesters at Stonewall or Harvey Milk did not raise up and begin a movement, we might not have a movement towards full equality for LGBT people today.

All these things and many more happened, because someone knew the goodness of being LGBT and it was time to tell others what it is all about.  And help others understand the importance of marriage equality, the ending of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  The ordination of LGBT individuals as Bishops, Priests, Deacons and local parish community leaders. 

I really do believe that the word that longs to take root in Christians, is not so much a book over 2 millenia old.  But the word that Jesus wants to take root and grow is a love for one another, and willingness to include and serve all people.  Not just those few that appeal to our senses.  The word that wants to grow and bear fruit is the ministry of radical hospitality and reconciliation.  A word by which no one person or group dominates another financially, politically, socially or as a matter of religion.  A word that sees all humankind as connected one to another.  To seek the goodwill and a better tomorrow for the benefit of all.  

When?  Oh when will that word take root, be nurtured, grow and bear fruit?  Who will be the first to accept that word and pass the goodness of the fruit around?  

Prayers

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 10, Book of Common Prayer, page 231).

Gracious God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, page 816).

Gracious God, the Power of all be-ings,
    Help us believe that
    you are the One who shields our heart
          against despair,
          against hopelessness,
          against turning cold,
          against indifference.
     Grant us the two beautiful companions of Hope:
          the sacred Anger that things are the way they are, and
          the Courage to make them the way they ought to be.
     In the name of the One who shows us
          the spirit of deep compassion and justice.
          Amen.  (Prayerfully Out in Scripture). 

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: The Beatitudes: All Are Blessed

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.


"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.


"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.


"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.


"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.


"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blog Reflection

How might the beatitudes suggest the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people in the Church and society?  Who are those whom Jesus is teaching about the poor in spirit, those who morn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for what is right,the merciful, the peacemakers, those persecuted for the cause of right?  

As the LGBTQ communities continue to work towards marriage equality, child adoption rights, basic rights etc, anti-gay groups suggest that as equality for LGBTQ people presses forward, that it is "religious discrimination" that is impacted.  No matter how many times they may be told that no religious institution will be forced to do things not condoned by their religious point of view, the reason marriage equality must not happen is because it will "limit religious freedom."  The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will "limit religious freedom" in our Military.  How interesting.

The problem with such assertions is that they lead to idolatry.  Only by having things their way, will anti-gay Christians have a sense of "freedom."  Rather than seek happiness and wholeness in God, they seek hate and discrimination as being their chosen vehicle to which they believe they will find some sense of peace.  

The beatitudes tell us that if we are poor in spirit and need a companion for our souls, we will find that companion in God's revelation.   We are told that God visits those of us who mourn because of injustice and oppression to help us know that we are not alone.  God gives us the gift of God's Self in our meekness, hunger and thirst for what is right, and in our willingness to be merciful.  Jesus tells us here that we are blessed when we seek with purity of heart the will of God, even if others do not share our opinions or understandings of what purity is.  When we are persecuted and abused in the Name of Jesus for speaking peace, equality and justice on his behalf for those who are marginalized, oppressed, hungry, poor, homeless and in need of love, we are blessed of God. 

God is not so much interested in what our skin color, or cultural origin is.  God has made us all unique out of God's extravagant love.  We are all sinners who are in need of God's saving grace.  The goodness and mercy of God is available to all who wish to know in the inner most secretive places of our hearts, that there is no bounds to God's unconditional and all-inclusive love.  When the violence of the world such as what is happening in Egypt, Uganda and here in these United States becomes too much for us, God is our peace and strength.   When arch-conservative Christians continue to bash our sisters and brothers who are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, atheist, Pagan, Wicca and even New Age, God calls all of us who know better to be the peacemakers.  To say "No, God loves all, so should we" is the peace making that we are blessed to know and be called to proclaim.  When anti-LGBT organizations call homosexual and bisexual love making dirty, damned and a danger to society, progressive and loving minded Christians can reply.  Our reply should be something like this.   Purity of heart means being true to ourselves, others and God.  We love the way we do, because to love in a way that does not reflect how God has created us, would be impure, because it would be dishonest.  To say that God has damned us because we loved our significant other so deeply that we shared the most intimate parts of our bodies and souls with each other, is to presume that God is no longer God.   Purity of heart is not found in abstaining from that which God has gifted us to use and do so well to love someone else with the very self sacrificing love that Jesus Christ loves all of us. 

St. Paul begins the reading for today with "The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18).  To those who are perishing with attitudes of hate, violent rhetoric and exclusion of others based on their own biases, the idea of LGBTQ people clinging to the cross appears foolishness.  To those of us whom Jesus told we would be blessed for being persecuted on Jesus' account, the cross is that power of God that is bringing about our salvation.  We experience every day the evil talk that comes our way from Christians who feel justified by what they are doing.  We can cling to the cross and claim our victory with the Crucified and Risen Christ who has redeemed us and continues to invigorate us with God's Holy Spirit.  We who are redeemed are welcomed to "dwell" within "your tabernacle, and abide upon God's holy hill."  In Christ all of God's LGBT people are "leading blameless lives, doing right and speaking the truth from our hearts."  (See Psalm 15).  

What Christians would do well to do is instead of looking at ways to suggest that some are better off or worse off than others,would be to seek the goodness of God in all people.   Look for every reason including the fact that Jesus has for the most part here said that all people are actually blessed, and to honor and love one another as such.  No more seeking to do religious, spiritual, social or political violence towards anyone and no more justification of it either.  To work together in a partnership with God and the Church to seek out the common good of all God's people, recognizing that we serve Christ in those who remain marginalized and oppressed.  All of us are blessed of God to do that which God calls us to do.  All that remains for us to do is respond with abandonment to God's holy, loving and inclusive will.

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 215).


Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, page 826).

Huffington Post Article: "Worship God, Not the Bible." Must Share

All my blog readers know how much I write about the dangers of reading and interpreting the Bible literally.  Today via The Episcopal Cafe, I found an excellent article in the Huffington Post.  "Worship the God, Not the Bible" by Matt Idom.  The article is so good, I am going to quote the whole thing here. 

"If you still say the bible is not true, I will say that no book is more honest."

My latest literary diet has consisted of an obscure historical novel entitled Honor's Kingdom. Written by Owen Parry, it is a nineteenth century tale surrounding espionage in London between Confederate and Union agents and their attempts to secure European support during the Civil War.

In one chapter the lead character is bemoaning the decline in respect for the bible brought on by the Age of Reason and the scientific explosion of that generation. Wrestling with the tenants of Darwinism, he brings to light the doubt that many have for biblical authority. In frustration the character shares his personal credo on the matter: "If you still say the bible is not true, I will say that no book is more honest."

Indeed, there is no more honest writing to, as Parry declares, "Show us who we truly are." But I wonder in this age of enlightenment, super computer technology and instant communication, if this honest book is really authoritative to most people's lives?

Do you know what I mean by "authoritative?" To me that means seeing the bible as the guide, the source, and the inspiration for my life. In other words, through the writings in the bible I find the directions for how I choose to live. Through the bible I am introduced to God, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit and the expectations for how to model my existence.

But there is a challenge here that is at the heart of what defines the Christian community in particular and human relations in general. And at the sake of being called a heretic, I think many folks are confused about what to do with the bible.

For instance, there are many who insist on taking the bible literally in every aspect. They refer to it as the "literal word of God." They then suggest if you or I do not believe it, accept it literally, then somehow we are wrong. And if you are wrong about that, then you probably better get it right or suffer eternal consequences.

When I was ordained back in 1980 the first church I served was in a town of about 350 people. I preached my first sermon that morning and then that evening I led the bible study. I will never forget standing up to read the scripture from the bible my bishop had given me when a member of the church stood up and shouted at me: "That's what's wrong with you seminary boys. You don't read from the real bible!" He got up and left in an angry huff. Of course, the "real" bible was the King James bible.

There is both the implied and literal assumption that if the bible is not literally true in every aspect, every KJV "jot and tittle", then it is somehow flawed and not to be trusted. I've heard it called "the perfect word of God." (Isn't that designation reserved for Jesus as The Word made flesh? John 1 for reference.) I have always struggled with that kind of belief. Is my faith to be in the bible? Or is my faith to be in the One the bible reveals? I choose the latter, regardless of the translation. For me, it is just more honest.

Of course, folks who think the bible has to be taken literally are threatened when someone who does not believe like they do are still confident about going to Heaven and serving God. Gives 'em the willies!

Take the bible literally? Here is what that would look like. We would stone homosexuals to death ... along with adulterers and misbehaving children. Sorry, but we would never, under any circumstance, allow women to preach the word of God. (But they can teach it to children in Sunday School?) And don't forget, you must tithe 10 percent of your income. Before taxes! Then there is that whole business about handling snakes.

We preachers are notorious about moving in and out of scripture like it is some worn out back door, ever struggling with the temptation to use it to prove a point or leverage a position. I am guilty, I confess. But, if you will pardon the biblical quote, Jesus said we are to use our hearts, souls and minds in this faith adventure. Do you suppose he was saying there should be a logical dimension to our faith? I do.

Of course, the biblical belief pendulum swings the other direction, too. There are many who see nothing absolute, nothing "true" about the bible. It is fiction, it is myth to them. Like reading of Greek gods and Roman mythology, it is just fable and literary meanderings that have defined a culture's pre-occupation with mortality and immortality.

A few years ago I participated in an archaeological dig with the University of Oklahoma. The site was a 10,000 year old bison kill with artifacts from Clovis man. One day about a dozen professors and professionals from across the nation drove in to view the excavation. I chatted up a number of them and when I announced I was a volunteer there for the experience, they asked me what I did for a living. "Me? I'm the pastor of a church in Texas." It was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. One of those learned men turned on me with a challenging tone. "How do you reconcile what you are seeing here with what it teaches you about creation in your bible?" I told him that if I believed the bible was a science book, I might have some problems to explain. But in that it is a book of theology, I saw no conflict. His wife drug him off, huffing.

Literal? Nope, not for me. Authoritative? Absolutely! Important to my life and faith? Without it, I would be lost.

But, I must always remember, it is not through the bible that I am found. No, that is more about the one God I understand the bible to be revealing. And in that sense, it is more about honesty than anything else. God is the author of grace, not the bible. The bible reveals that grace, but can never dispense it. And as one reads the very real, very human struggles of biblical characters that, in all honesty, have the same failures and hang ups as the rest of us, we actually begin to see ourselves. Honestly.

It was, I believe, Robert Schuler who warned Christians to beware of "bibliolatry". That is, worshipping the bible to the same degree that we worship the God the bible reveals. To be consistent, that means remembering the Trinity only has three sides, not four.

Maybe we should stop buying those fancy versions bound in Moroccan leather with gold tipped pages and red letters for the words of Jesus. Maybe the bible should be made like a laminated auto mechanics manual or a good, serviceable travel atlas. You know, something we can handle and not be afraid of, something that is viewed as the honest tool we can trust as we negotiate the repairs we need to make and navigate through life. Ultimately, I think our engines of faith will run better and we will arrive at that final destination just fine.

Much of what I write in my blogs is so well written about here that all I can say is Amen.  

Christmas Eve/Day: God Comes to Us In Christ

John 1: 1-18 (NRSV)

The Gospel According to John

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life,^* and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6
 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^*
10
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to what was his own,^* and his own people did not accept him. ¹²But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14
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. ¹⁵(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) ¹⁶From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,^* who is close to the Father’s heart,^* who has made him known.


In her book: Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church, Deacon Vicki K. Black writes:

"For the church, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  We celebrate this birth not because Jesus was simply a 'good man" but because we believe Jesus was -- and is--both the human son of Mary and the divine Son of God.  That makes Christmas a time to reflect on a mystery that the church calls the doctrine of the Incarnation.  This important theological term comes from the Latin word carne, which means "flesh," and has to do with the divine taking on human flesh and coming among us in human form.

All religions throughout the ages have struggled with the fundamental question of the relationship between God and creation.  Some believe in a God who is completely and utterly separate and distinct from humankind; others believe in a God who occasionally makes transitory, purely spiritual connections with certain individuals; still others believe in many gods who are present within all of creation, including human beings.

The early church struggled with this question, too.  After centuries of heated debate the church formally defended the doctrine of the Incarnation at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.  The church fathers tried to explain their conviction that Jesus was "at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man" (BCP 864).  What this meant was that Jesus was not just a man whom the Spirit of God visited on occasion (as with the Old Testament prophets), nor was he really God just pretending to be human.  In either of those cases, the church fathers believed, it would not have been possible for Jesus to bring salvation to humankind.  He must be both God and human to be our savior." (Page 29).

The concept of which Vicki Black writes is not one that can be understood by human beings, let alone explain.  We are all human beings with very limited minds and varied experiences.  No two human beings are made the same way, nor live their lives the same.  God is beyond human limitations, yet in Christ God chooses to become like one of us.  Yet as God is closest to us in Jesus, so Jesus is still very mysterious.  God changes the powers of human history by bringing in a new understanding that there is no longer a dominant species and a submissive species.  God becomes human through the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power or God, the Mother, the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is born in Bethlehem today.   All human traditions are turned upside down, and a new era of the relationship with God and humankind is begun.

Luke 2: 1-20 (NRSV)

The Birth of Jesus

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph 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. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And 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.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,^* the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,^* praising God and saying,
¹⁴
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’^*
15
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.’ ¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

In here Christmas Message to the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori writes:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. —Isaiah 9:2

That's how the first lesson of Christmas Eve opens. It's familiar and comforting, as the familiar words go on to say that light has shined on those who live in deep darkness, that God has brought joy to people living under oppression, for a child has been borne to us. The name of that child is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace — and God is bringing an endless peace through an heir to the throne of David (vv 3, 4, 6, 7).

This year we're going to hear a bit we haven't heard in Episcopal churches before, in that missing verse 5. It's pretty shocking, but it helps explain why the hunger for light is so intense, and the joy so great when it comes: "For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire." The coming of this prince of peace will mean the end of all signs of war and violence. An occupied people will finally live in peace, without anxiety about who or what will confront them the next time they go out their front doors.

People in many parts of this world still live with the echo of tramping boots and the memory of bloody clothing. Many Episcopalians are living with that anxiety right now, particularly in Haiti and Sudan. Americans know it through the ongoing anxiety after September 11 and in the wounded soldiers returning to their families and communities, grievously changed by their experience of war. Remember the terror of war when you hear those words about light on Christmas Eve. Remember the hunger for peace and light when you hear the shocking promise that a poor child born in a stable will lead us all into a world without war. Remember the power of light when you go out into the darkness after hearing those words — and pray that you and those around you may become instruments of peace.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! —Luke 2:14

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori is presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

Even as Jesus is born into the world to unite people in the mission of peace and good will towards all people, there remains in the Church and society those who still wish to be the cause of anything but peace and good will.  Those who want to divide humankind according to race, religion, class, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression. language, employment, challenge etc.  Jesus comes into our human experience to experience the joys and sorrows of humankind itself.  God comes to us in Christ to communicate God's unconditional and all-inclusive love for all humankind.  God tells us that God is with us through all the messes, good times and bad times, illness, violence, discrimination, marginalization, oppression and death that everyone in humankind experiences.  In God's perfect revelation, Jesus comes to invite all humankind to come to God and know God's mercy, forgiveness and generous grace.  There is room for everyone in the manger where Jesus is born on this holy night.  We are invited by the Angels to go with the Shepherds and see this event that has come to pass.  It matters not who you are, what you believe, how you love others, whether you are poor or wealthy, gay or straight, female or male, of one gender or transgender.  Whether you are sure about everything in what your future holds, of even if you wonder how you will make it through this holiday season into the New Year.  Even if your life span will only last until another hour, minute, day, month or year.  God in Christ welcomes us into God's presence in Christ.

As we are called to come and adore God in Christ, so we are are also empowered with a sense of mission to bring Christ's abiding peace to all who are broken, wounded, hurting, separated, marginalized and in darkness and death.  The world will become no less violent today, just because we have been to visit with Jesus.  There is still way too much war, oppression, sickness and death.  We are called not to solve the problems, but to be that shining example of the Light of Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem today and always.  As we remember that Jesus is born in Bethlehem today, Jesus also longs to be born again in us, in spite of our broken human experience.  God desires to calm the storms of hate speech and violence if only we will dare to have a little faith in Jesus.

I cannot close this blog post without a reminder that many of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people, and others who are of minority status celebrate the Christmas Day/Season alone and in need of new family and friends.  Many LGBTQ people are not able to go home and celebrate with their families today, because they are not accepted, or risk being proselytized by arch-conservative Catholics and other Christians.  These are very stressful times for couples and individuals.  Make a phone call today, write an email or invite and spend some time in prayer today for all who face the difficulties of social, political and religious oppression.   Today is an awesome day, help make it awesome for those who live through it in tears, anger and sickness.   God reached out to all of us in Christ, so we need to reach out to each other.

On behalf of Jason and myself, we wish every one a very Merry Christmas and Happy and healthy New Year in 2011.

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 lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, 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 forever. Amen.  (Collects for Christmas Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 212-213).

The Bible: A Love Story, Not a Weapon of Mass Destruction

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NRSV)

As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

My blog readers know that I have written about the dangers of Biblical literalism on many occasions.  Given that today is the commemoration of St. Jerome who translated the Hebrew and Greek texts into Latin sometime between the years 347 and 420, I want to concentrate for a little bit about the Bible as a love story. Later on between 1374 and 1384 it was John Wyclif who translated the Latin into common English

The Bible has been used as a Weapon of Mass Destruction over the years.  I have written that many times before as well.  The Bible really is a love story.  It is the story of God's love for all of humankind.  The Bible contains many stories about how God interacted with people in a time and culture very different from our own.  Yet many of the things we encounter today, the people of the Biblical era definitely knew.   The Bible is not a perfect book.  The Bible is not a story about perfect people, accept one.  The Bible is not an excuse for prejudice or violence.  The Holy Scriptures contain every reason to love one another as God has loved us in Christ. 

Luke 24:44-48 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

In this Gospel of Luke, Jesus is instructing the disciples after he has been raised from the dead.  Rather than use his power as God to punish the disciples for abandoning him at his most desperate hour of death, Jesus is merciful, forgiving and he challenges them as God's witnesses. 

We too are witnesses of Jesus' death and resurrection.  We are among God's beloved children with whom God is well-pleased.  Everyone including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and queer (LGBTQ) are among God's redeemed people in Christ.  The Bible and many of the passages of Scripture that have been used to justify violence and cruelty towards LGBTQ people or any person or group of people is not condoned by the message contained within God's written word.   The Living Word of God, Jesus Christ spent his life and ministry caring for the marginalized, and now prays in heaven for all of us to learn to love each other more and more without excuse or reason to do otherwise. 

My prayer for us and everyone is that we will find every reason to love, accept and cherish each other because of the Bible.  My prayer is that all the reasons we find to love people because of the Bible, will overshadow and convert a Church and society in which the Bible has been used as an excuse to hurt and hate.

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 21, Book of Common Prayer, page 234).

O Lord, O God of truth, your Word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path: We give you thanks for your servant Jerome, and those who, following in his steps, have labored to render the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people; and we pray that your Holy Spirit will overshadow us as we read the written Word, and that Christ, the living Word, will transform us according to your righteous will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Jerome, Holy Men, Holy Women, Celebrating the Saints, page 615).

The Muslim Mosque Debate: Who is Going to Make Peace First?

Matthew 5: 9 (NRSV)

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

I am taking a different turn from my usual blog routine.  Today, I want to write about the outrageous debate that is taking center stage in our countries news media.  The debate about whether or not to build an Islamic Mosque a few blocks from ground zero where two planes piloted by terrorists hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 has become an issue of political campaigning, religious zeal and a full blown discussion about the Constitutional right of practicing one's religion.

One comment that has made it's way through the news media from an amazing number of commentators is: "If Islam is the religion of peace that Muslim's claim it to be, then for the sake of keeping peace in this country, let them build the Mosque in another location."  This comment was said yesterday on Hardball with Chris Matthews by a local evangelical Pastor.

The debate of this Muslim Mosque in New York City is another example of how we in America and in many cases in the Christian Church need to engage in discussions concerning the privileged of our society vs. those who are not.  I know I am a resounding gong, but not having the conversation about privilege and those who are not, is why such issues are becoming the problems that they are.  It is so very easy to not discuss the issues of the privileged vs those who are not, because then we do not have to face our own issues with those who are different from ourselves.  The issues around race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, health, wealth, religion, language, challenge and the like, and the reasons society and the Church do not handle them well, has a lot to do with what we are not talking about.

Let me write about why I have a problem with the statement: "If Islam is a religion of peace, let the Muslims move the Mosque to another location to keep the peace."  Christianity is also about making peace.  Yeah, Yeah, I know this past weekend we heard Jesus say in Luke 12: 49-56 "Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division!"  What is taking place over the issue of this Mosque is just such an example that Christianity can be divisive, especially when Christians fail to take the opportunity to work towards peace.  Muslims have been persecuted and denigrated by Christians for centuries.  The Christian Church still has the Crusades in our history.  The Christian Tradition has a sad history of supersessionism.  Supersessionism is the idea that Christianity is an superior religion and all other religions are suppose to succeed to Christianity.  This attitude has been used to justify so much violence towards Muslims, Jewish people, and other religions, as well as women, LGBTQ, African Americans, Native Indian and many more.  In attempting to reconcile these differences the burden to make peace is on the religion that has been waging the violence, not the religion that has been experiencing the violence.  Given that the founder of the Christian religion, Jesus Christ said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" Christians should be more eager to work towards peace with the religion of Islam, and not placing the responsibility of being "first peacemakers" upon the Muslims.  That is wrong.

I think Conservatives are wrong on this one.  There were Muslims as well as Americans and Christians who were killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001.  The terrorist attacks took the lives of so many different communities of people, that we should all be supporting each other in our grieving and healing.  Not looking for ways to shut and keep each other out.  A Muslim Mosque a few blocks from ground zero would be such an opportunity to make some peace.  But to make that peace means facing our prejudices to get there.  It means facing the hate we all still feel towards who ever caused the terrible events that happened on September 11th and being willing to admit that it was not the Muslims that caused the events to happen.  It was religious and political extremism that caused the deaths of over 10,000 people, American, Christian, Muslim, LGBTQ, and so many more.  Allowing a Muslim Mosque a few blocks from ground zero would be a sign that all of the many factions that were part of what happened at the World Trade Center, are beginning to make peace with each other by having some honest conversations about whatever biases we all have.  That is why this issue is so blown up. We do not want to have those conversations.  We would rather debate keeping people apart, our prejudices deep inside and not even discuss the issue of privilege vs the non-privileged.

The discussion of privilege and the non-privileged that we as Americans and Christians are unwilling to have affects not only the relationship between Christians and Muslims, but also the relationships between Christians and LGBTQ people.  Those who are privileged to be heterosexual right wing Christians, do not want to discuss the advancement of the rights of those who are considered underprivileged because we are LGBTQ, progressive and still Christian or any other religion. The conversation we need to have about privilege and the non-privileged is the same conversation that is needed over the controversial subjects of immigration, race, class status, health care, Wall Street reform, the reform of corporations not having the same rights as individuals when it comes to spending money on national elections, caring for the challenged and elderly through Social Security and Medicare.  All of these issues are about those who are so privileged to be able to make such decisions verses those who are so underprivileged of living with the decisions the privileged make about those who are not.  That is why the burden of making peace first is on Christians, not on those whom Christians have and in many cases continue to violate in one fashion or another.

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of this redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 15, Book of Common Prayer, Page 232).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, Page 815).

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, 815)

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist: The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

As someone who is still quite new to the Episcopal Church I learned only this morning that today's Feast of the Holy Innocents was moved to tomorrow, because yesterday's remembrance of St. John was moved to today.

When I made my promises as an Oblate of St. Benedict I took the name of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. I took that name for many reasons. The Gospel of St. John is my favorite of the four Gospels. It speaks of the Word made flesh, as well as all of the "I am..." texts. "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25), and "I am the bread of life" (6:35). In John's Gospel is also recorded the Last Supper Discourse including Jesus proclaiming himself to be the "way, truth and life" (14:6) And Jesus' command to "Love one another as I have loved you" (15:12).

I also love the 3 letters attributed to John. Particularly the opening to the 1 John 1: 1-10. In this amazing chapter we read: "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness. we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one antoher and the blood of Jesus God's Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:5-8).

Through out St. John's Gospel, John never names himself. Instead he often refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." (See for example John 19: 26). And one of the most common understandings is that when St. John refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" he is in fact saying that all of Jesus' disciples are the disciple whom Jesus loves.

As I work through the figure and writings of St. John one of the things that has drawn me to him is his constant usage of the word "love". This tells me that St. John saw love as a very central theme to the Person and works of Jesus. In fact one of St. John's greatest writings is: "God is love and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in 'them'". (1 John 4:16b New American Bible with the word "him" exchanged for "them" to make the language inclusive).

Yet, whenever the word "love" is talked about from the standpoint of Christianity all discussion about love appears to stop at the topic of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. This past weekend in Catholic parishes and Diocese' they celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Given all the number of States that have passed same-sex marriage laws no doubt there was mention somewhere that marriage and love are under attack because of marriage equality. However, if marriage is about commitment, family and love than the love of two people of the same-sex is just as sacred and beautiful as the love between one man and one woman. It has often been recorded that Jesus reclined at the table with St. John's head leaning on the breast of the Savior. There have been some tales that perhaps St. John and Jesus were romantically involved. Whether that is true or not, we do not know.

We do know that love was at the center of St. John in his love for Jesus and the Gospel that Jesus preached and proclaimed. St.John was persecuted as were all of the other disciples for sharing God's message of inclusive and unconditional love.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, we are individuals, couples and families that have love at the very heart and center of who we are and what we are about. It is our love for people of the same sex that has caused such a back lashing from the religious right. Our love for our same-sex partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, lover and best friend has been the subject of persecution by right wing Christians and politicians. Love is at the center of what we want, want to do and want to be about. It is love that aches in the heart to be free from political and religious oppression. But remaining in God's love is exactly what Jesus commanded his disciples to do in John 15: 9. No matter how much the Catholic church and other "Talibangelical Christian fanatics" tell us we are "intrinsically disordered" we are to remain in God's love. God's love and the love that God has given us for members of the same-sex as well as bisexual and transgendered people that love is of God and is ordained by God to do awesome and wonderful things. Let us never stop speaking up about the rights of LGBT people to love other people.

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect for St. John, December 27th, Book of Common Prayer, Page 238).

First Sunday of Christmas: All Are Empowered to Be God's Children

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 own son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said: "He who comes after me ranks ahead of me becasue he was before me,") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. (John 1: 1-18).

Congratulations, every human being has been loved and accepted by God. In the Christmas Gospel we now hear that the God who created us, and God's Word without whom nothing that was made exists has come to us as one of us. As with all human beings first born into this world God comes as one so innocent and one so tender. As every child sees everything around her or him as if everything is worth their attention, so God in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ comes into our world and looks upon all of us as worthy of God's loving embrace and attention. As with any child who is born before they know the meaning of hate and prejudice, Jesus Christ is born yet he is born in an animal stall amidst all the messiness of human existence. Yet there is nothing and no person who is not important to Him.

And our Gospel today so beautifully says: "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." All means all.

In the Wisdom of Solomon 11:23 - 26 we read:

"But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook people's sins, so that the may repent. For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it. How wold anything have endured if you had not willed it? Or would anything not called forth by you have been preserved? You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living."

In today's reading from St. Paul to the Galatians we read:

"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28).

God treasures every thing God has made. God has shown all creation it's value in the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ the Word made flesh. And this includes beyond a shadow of a doubt lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. Our value as people has been affirmed by God becoming one like us in Jesus Christ. To everyone who receives Jesus, we are empowered to be children of God. All means all.

As Jesus grew up he like LGBT people learned that we live in a world where all are not respected and loved as children of God. Jesus found out that there is a world of prejudice and hate. Tomorrow we will remember the Holy Innocents who were all of those male children up to 2 years old who were killed because of King Herod's hate for anyone who would threaten his established order of kingship over his country. As Jesus grew and matured into adult hood, though he would face hate and prejudice for himself and those marginalized by society, he would continue to embrace all, even those who hated him. Jesus continued to look at all people as being very important and treasured by God. All who accepted Jesus, were empowered to be children of God. Therefore, any and all who accept Jesus even now, are empowered to be children of God.

This acceptance is not the same as the Bible beaters and fundamentalists preach. No, this is seeing in Jesus, God's Divinity and our Humanity all in One Being with God. To accept Jesus is to see Jesus as that light whom the world does not accept. God came to his own in Jesus. Are we willing to be claimed by Jesus as God's own? Or are we among those to whom Jesus came, but we did not accept him? Our acceptance of God in Christ means that we understand that our worth, our dignity are from God who loves and accepts all people unconditionally and all inclusively. A Christian who has truly experienced what being a child of God means, does not discriminate against anyone for their race, religious background, skin color, national background, challenge, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or gender. We realize that all are made one in Christ Jesus.

Today is an opportunity to recognize God's love in and for all of us. That is what the heart of the Christmas message is. And today is a day to help deliver those in bondage to freedom. Today, there is an opportunity to help the gay and lesbian citizens of Uganda against the anti-homosexuality bill. Follow the link I provide here. And sign a petition that tells the President of Uganda that a bill that sends gay and lesbian people to prison for life and threatens to take their life is wrong. Help tell Uganda that gay and lesbian people are people created in the image and likeness of God and that we are celebrated by Jesus, because Jesus once became one like us as much as God became one like all people, everywhere.

As we prepare for 2009 to become 2010 may we all commit ourselves to promoting LGBT and all people thought of as second class citizens to be people who are included in society and the Church. As the New Year dawns let us call on our Congress to pass a health care reform bill for ALL Americans who need it. Let us call on our local, State and Federal Leaders to continue the work to enact legislation where LGBT people will be accepted, affirmed and celebrated in all parts of society. Why should these things be? Because in Jesus Christ ALL have been made a treasure to God, and therefore we should also treasure ALL.

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the First Sunday of Christmas, Book of Common Prayer, Page 213)

Christmas Day: There Was No Room in the Inn

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 of 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 first-born Son and wrapped him bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then the 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 of the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you shall find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was 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 left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go not 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." (Luke 2:1-20).

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.
(Collect for Christmas, Book of Common Prayer, Page 212)