For December 24/25, 2018, Year C, Readings: Christmas Eve ~ Luke
2:1-20 at Creche, Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, John 1:1-14;
Christmas
Day ~ Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20
The people who walked in darkness have
seen a great light...For a child has been born for us, a son given to us...and
he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. [Isaiah 9:2a, 6]
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. [Psalm 96:1-2]
The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to
renounce…worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are
self-controlled, upright, and godly… [Titus 2:11-12]
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...to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... [Luke 2:8-11, 13]
In the beginning was the Word…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…The true light, which enlightens
everyone, was coming into the world…And the Word became flesh and lived among
us…
[John 1:1a, 3b-5, 9, 14a]
There is
something almost magical, perhaps mystical is a better word, that occurs within
me when I hear the words from Luke 2, especially when we get to: In
that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night... I become expectant. I become my 6 year old self,
hearing the resonant voice of a familiar narrator. I am hope-filled. All is
right in the world...for this moment.
Every year someone asks, "If only we could stay this way all
year." The spell cast by the words and the music, the glitter of ornaments
and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to
reap the reward, breaks all too soon. Our precious Infant has a far and
difficult road to travel in only the few months between now and Easter. What
part of it will we travel with him as the moment
spins into what we call reality? What part of the reality of
others in our community and in the world at large ~ poverty, violence, war,
greed, and disasters natural or human made ~ do we shun, dismiss, ignore or,
throw money to, all while decrying the lack of Christ in Christmas?
Most of the
readings for this sacred season are so familiar that even non-Christians will
know them. Yet what stood out for me this time was the short lesson from the
Letter of Paul to Titus that often gets lost in the sparkle of the others. In
particular, I was engaged by a phrase in the first of this only two-sentence
reading: The grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation for all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly
passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled,
upright, and godly… [emphasis added]. Jesus, our personal trainer, in our own time! We are so often ~
in our own time ~ bedazzled by the glamor of this season, in stark contrast to
the humble surroundings of the birth of our Redeemer, that I am drawn to the concept
of Jesus training us. The Gospels give
us more than just advice, more than just reminders, more than just checklists
of nice things to do, even more than teaching. Jesus is our trainer, the one
that will keep us on track, pushing us to go beyond the comfortable, to reach a
potential of faith in action that we didn’t ever consider or because we fear
the risks in renouncing all that is earthbound. No easy path, but with Christ
as my trainer, my faith will begin to shape up, become toned, and strengthen. For
me, now, the question isn’t “what is Christmas all about” but rather “what does
Christmas begin in my life?”
Christ
is always in CHRISTmas...let's remember to keep Christ in Mondays, Thursdays, in
February, and August. Let us truly Sing to the Lord and bless his name and proclaim
the good news of his salvation from day to day to ourselves first! Let
us live out what we believe in. Feel the JOY! The Light shines again and
always. Suit up, the training begins now!
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Holy
Infant, Lord at thy birth, our joy, at long last, is unbounded by the arrival
of You, our Messiah, come to redeem our sins and mark us as Your own forever.
Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is born!
Glory to God in the Highest
RESPONSE: And Peace to God’s People on Earth
Glory to God in the Highest
RESPONSE: And Peace to God’s People on Earth
~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy
birth, infuse our souls with Your pure light that we may stand in Your grace
before the earthly powers of our world, our nation, and our community, to
radiate and model Your peace, love, and mercy for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Glory to God in the Highest
And Peace to God’s People
on Earth
~
Holy
Infant, Lord at thy birth, send healing and hope to all who are suffering in
body, mind, or spirit, and comfort those
who give them support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in
need… add your own petitions
Glory to God in the Highest
And Peace to God’s People
on Earth
~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy
birth, especially now, encircle all grieving hearts with the solace that
brightens the darkness, as the vaults of heaven explode in jubilance and glory
for our loved ones entering the gates of eternity. We now join our voices to pray aloud
for those in need… We pray especially for:
Glory to God in the Highest
And Peace to God’s People
on Earth
~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently…
Glory to God in the Highest
And Peace to God’s People
on Earth
~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy
birth, for our own Shepherds in this sacred field we give great thanks as they
keep watch and guide us toward the ultimate pasture of Your redemption. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Glory to God in the Highest
And Peace to God’s People
on Earth
The
Celebrant adds: O Lord of Hosts, God’s Word Made Flesh, so activate our wills, so
engage our very beings, that we will consciously and intentionally live into
Your saving grace each and every day of our lives. On bended knees, and with
worshipful hearts, we ask this of You as our Prince of Peace, and of the Holy
Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with the Almighty Creator of Heaven and
Earth, reign in glory as One God, now until the end of forever. Hallelujah!
Christ our Savior is Born! Amen.
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