Christmas II
Luke 2: 1-20
(The middle of the Gospels,
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!
And as the angels
withdrew from them into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another:
“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.
Christmas II, Dawn
December 5, 2012
Luke 2: 1-20
An old legend describes the first gift to the Christ Child
very early Christmas morning. Mary and Joseph and the Child are settling, in
the quiet light. The door opens to the figure of an ancient woman. She is
dressed all in gray, with a hood covering her face. Mary is concerned. Slowly,
with each step an eternity, the woman approaches. As she comes to the crib, the
Child awakens, and Mary notices that the eyes of both are the same. The old one
bends down over the Child, and her hand brings forth something from under her
gray mantle; she hands it to the Child—His first gift.
The old figure straightens, as if freed from a great weight.
Her face shines wonderfully young. Her head rises nearly to the rafters. She
moves away, and disappears into the night.
Eve, for it was she, had come to bring the Child, as His
first gift, the red apple of the first sin, the calamity of all mankind. And
now the apple shines golden in the Child’s little hand, the image of a new
world that was born with Him.
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