People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: ~ Christmas Eve & Christmas Day '21 Year C

For December 24/25, 2021, 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 52:7-10, Ps 98, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-18

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] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” [Isaiah 52:7]

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]

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things…In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity. [Psalm 98:1, 10]

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]

[God] has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful words. [Hebrews 1:2]

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 or perhaps enchanting 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 7 year old self, hearing the resonant voice of a familiar TV narrator. I am hope-filled. All is right in the world...for this moment.

My older self is revels in the mystical phrases of John’s opening of In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the entirety of this passage that fills me from the inside out as I breathe in the familiar ending of And the Word became flesh and lived among us…

Every year someone asks, "If only we could stay this way all year." The spell cast by the words and the music of a glorious Liturgy as a prelude or the follow up to the early morning glitter of ornaments and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to reap the rewards, 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 stands out for me every year, is the short lesson from the Letter of Paul to Titus, that often gets lost in the sparkle of the others. In particular, I am 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 bedazzled by the glamor and excitement of this season, in stark contrast to the humble surroundings of the birth of our Redeemer, that I am completely 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. Jesus is our trainer, the one that gives instruction and direction to 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, or at the very minimum reducing our dependence on all that is earthbound. It is no easy path, but with Christ as my trainer-in-residence, my faith will begin to shape up, become toned and strengthened into becoming a fully-fledged, faith-filled member of The Body of Christ. For me, now, the question isn’t “what is Christmas all about” but rather “when do I allow Christmas to 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 our lives truly reflect what we say we believe in mindset and in practice. 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, a great light shines in the darkness and 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

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, infuse our souls with Your powerful word that we may stand in Your grace before the earthly powers of our world, our nation, and our community, to renounce impiety and worldly passions. Let us sing to all a new song of great joy as we radiate and model Your Good News of peace, love, and mercy for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glory to God in the Highest