Christmas II
Luke 2: 1-20
Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s],
according to Luke in the second chapter.
Now it came to pass in those days that a proclamation went out from
Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This
was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone set out to be enrolled, each to the town of his ancestors.
So
Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city
of David which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and
lineage of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed. And Mary was
with child. And it came to pass that while they were there, the time was
fulfilled for her to be delivered. And she bore her son, her first-born. And
she wrapped him in linen and placed him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks in the night. And an angel of the Lord came upon them
[appeared before them] and the light of the revelation of God shone about them.
And great fear came upon them [they felt the fear of fears].
But the angel said to them,
“Do
not be afraid; for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all men on
earth: today is born unto you the Bringer of Healing, in the city of David,
Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a
sign for you: you will find a little child wrapped in linen, lying in a
manger.”
And suddenly around the angel was the fullness of the heavenly angelic
hosts: their song of praise sounded forth to the highest:
God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights
And brings peace to men of earth
In whose hearts good
will dwells!
“Let us go to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of the Word that has
happened here, which the Lord let be proclaimed.”
And they came hastening, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe
lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they made known the Word that was
spoken to them concerning this child. [or, When they saw that, they understood
what had been told them concerning this child.] And all who heard it were
astonished about what the shepherds said.
But Mary treasured [preserved] all these words, pondering them [turning
them over] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising
God to everyone for everything they had heard and seen, which was just as it
had been announced to them.
December
25, 2009
God’s Word, our morning star Thou
art;
Christmas II, Dawn
Luke 2, 1-20
In night’s darkness we struggle to see. We wrestle perhaps
with fears, in fitful sleep. But at last the dawn arrives. We feel an opening, surrounded
by the light of a tender hope.
The dawn breaks in the East afar
I welcome Thee, my morning star
Give us thy light, I ever pray
Or we shall still in darkness stay.
….
Our hope quells our uneasiness, and brings us a measure of
peace.
The birth of the Christ Child arrives like a new dawn for
humanity. The inner soul darkness and fear give way to the peacefulness of
hope, as we regard the tiny child. For He is the reassurance and promise of
God’s love.
God’s Word, our morning star Thou
art;
We cannot live from Thee apart.
Drive out the power of darkness
bold,
That love in us shall ne’er grow
cold. [1]
And therein lies the promise of peace on earth—that we take
this Child into our hearts; that we learn to live connected with Him; that we
radiate His love out into the world. Our hope of peace on earth rests on one
single foundation: that His love, working in and through us, not be allowed to
grow cold.
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