Christmas II Luke 2: 1-20
Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s], according to Luke in the second chapter.
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| Newbatt |
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.
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| Marie-Laure Viriot |
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!
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| Marie-Laure Viriot |
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
Dec 25, 2016
Luke 2: 1-20
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| Newbatt |
Here on this Christmas morning, we hear the ever-present story of the first Christmas, the first Christ-Coming: the birth, the glory of angels, the shepherds' hastening to His presence. They pass along the angel's announcement. And Mary ponders it all in her heart.
This great event draws near to us every Christmas morning. We can feel Him, theCreative Word of God, drawing near. For the birth of Christ wants to become a reality in every human heart. We ask that we join in his new and present creating.
May our speech be filtered and warmed by His love. May He fortify our will, keep it good, so that we can devote ourselves in strength for the Healing Spirit's work in our present time. May we do the work of healing what is ill, healing what is divided and broken. Like the shepherds, we can begin to understand. And like Mary, we can ponder and preserve the Creative Word of God, the Word of Wisdom and Love, within our hearts. So that when time is right, we can act, filled with His peace.
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