For the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up...For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest... [Isaiah 61:11a; 62:1a]
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds...The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:3, 6]
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law...So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. [Galatians 4:4, 7]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...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 law indeed was given
through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [John
1:1-2, 3b-5, 17]
In the 4th century, St. Athanasius said of Jesus, He became what we are that he might make us what he is. Paul tells us in Galatians that Jesus is faith revealed by God. Those who followed Jesus in his time and who influenced others who came after, have all tried to instruct us in ways to be more like our Christ, our Messiah. This Child, just born, is God's promise, God's Word, with flesh, blood, and a beating heart, like us, and that I can grasp and almost understand. Yet the mystery of God endures, for if we do think we fully understand God, Jesus, and the Spirit ~ the Triune God, the Holy Trinity ~ then our god is too small.
As the Church year unfolds, we will enjoy the ageless story of the Epiphany and proceed soon after to be led through the woes of Lent and into the Passion of Holy Week, until the glorious Resurrection. In the meantime, let us savor this moment of Great Birth, and through all the days to come let us know in heart, soul, and mind that our Redeemer lives: with us, in us, and through us. If we relinquish ourselves to steadfast faith, however difficult in difficult times, and allow ourselves to be open and accepting, we will know Jesus as the Light in our hearts that darkness cannot overcome. We begin, again and still and always, from all yesterdays to today and in every tomorrow, to welcome Jesus, the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, the Word of all Words, as we, too, are re-born, refreshed, and filled with joy.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God of
All That Is, Seen and Unseen, into this fullness of time You have sent our
Messiah, woman-borne, to redeem us as Your own children. Let us rejoice with
our whole beings, as heirs of Your eternal Kingdom, justified by faith, and
proclaiming Christ’s grace and truth.
~ O God of All That Is, Seen and Unseen, with the Spirit of the Son that You have sent into our hearts, let us not keep silent. Grant us courage to speak without ceasing to lawful governments and to those who are or would be vengeful despots until righteousness, peace, and mercy prevail across our Earth, across our Country, and across our Communities, great and small. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
~ O God of All That
Is, Seen and Unseen, refresh the bodies, hearts, and souls and give hope
to all who suffer serious illness, despair, or fear, and to all who give love
and support. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add
your own petitions
~ O God of All That
Is, Seen and Unseen, help us to exchange the darkness of grief for
the celebration of all who have gone ahead to live again, now fully complete in
the radiant joy of Your eternal life. We pray especially for… add
your own petitions
~ O God of All That
Is, Seen and Unseen, we pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials… add your own petitions
~ O God of All That Is, Seen and Unseen, we give You gracious thanksgiving for those entrusted to bring us Your Word and Sacraments. Fill us all with the unwavering faith to walk together as constant witnesses of Christ Jesus, our Saving Lord. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
