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.
 |
| Blake |
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.
 |
| Bonnell |
Christmas II, Dawn
December 25, 2014
Luke 2: 1-20
At certain times of the year, especially in spring, birds
create a choral symphony in the dark before dawn. It is as if they want to
announce to the world the arrival of a new day, the arrival of the light. When
the sun actually rises, their song of praise falls silent. In the silence, if
we could but hear, the Sun itself, the dwelling place of high choirs of angels,
begins to sing. If we could but hear, we would perceive how the light-filled singing
Word calls forth the plants, the animals, ourselves.
The angels sang to the shepherds at night, before dawn.
They sang to announce the dawning of the light of the world. The shepherds’
hearts were perceptive. They heard the singing of the angelic chorus. They
looked for the light that was dawning, the light of love that they found shining
from the Child’s eyes. And their own words of praise ignited in their hearts
and poured forth from their lips.
 |
| Vladimir Borovikovsy |
Love, healing light-filled love, has been born to us. One
day the true light will have dawned upon all of humanity. And all shall see and
praise, as the poet says:
But the sun is one,
And the sun's name
Right;
And when light is none
Saving of the sun,
All men shall have light.
All shall see and be
Parcel of the morn;
Ay, though blind were we,
None shall choose but see
When that day is born[1]
