Christmas II
Luke 2: 1-20
(The middle of the four Gospels)
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.
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.
December
25, 2010
Christmas II Dawn
Luke
2: 1-20
The
mother gazes down at her little one. She cradles his weight in her arms. The
child reaches up, its 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.
Such
is the experience of every mother and her newborn.
Today
another child is being born. 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.
 |
| Arild Rosenkrantz |
Today
He is born within us, love incarnate. We promise, like Mary, to nourish and
protect this love within. Like Mary we treasure Him in our hearts. We ponder
there the angelic words accompanying his arrival: God’s Spirit of Love reveals
itself in the heights, and brings peace to those on earth in whom good will
dwells.
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.[1]
