Christmas Dawn
Luke 2:1-20
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 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.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all 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 all on earth
In whose hearts goodwill dwells!
And brings peace to all on earth
In whose hearts goodwill 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 [or, preserved] all these words, pondering them [or, 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 Dawn
December 25, 2020
Cynthia Hindes
Mary gazes down at her little one. She cradles his weight in her arms. The child reaches up, his hand touches her mouth. She kisses the little fingers and speaks to him of her love, "With all my heart," she says, "I promise you that I will nourish and protect you." They are surrounded by a tender warmth and light, the light of a new dawn.
Such is the experience of parents and their newborn.
Today the Child is being born once again. This Child is love incarnate, born eternally, born to us. We bear his weight. He touches our lips; He warms us from within with His love, gives us strength and encouragement for action.
Today He, love incarnate, is born within us. The promise arises, like Mary, to nourish and protect this love within. Like Mary, we treasure Him in our hearts. We ponder the angelic words accompanying his arrival: 'God’s Spirit of Love reveals itself in the heights and brings peace to all on earth in whom goodwill dwells.' We cradle his weight.
As the poet suggests:
The weight of the world
is love.
Under the burden
of solitude,
under the burden
of dissatisfaction
the weight,
the weight we carry
is love.*
* Alan Ginsberg, “Song”, (Collected Poems 1947-1980)
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