Christmas II, 2022, Hold You Gently

Christmas II, Dawn

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 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 firstborn. 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 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 II, Dawn

December 25, 2022

Luke 2:1–20 

It has happened. He has been born into the world. After a hard journey under arduous circumstances, this original Child, the Son of God from the beginning, is at last born in the midst of humanity. And the world seems suddenly tenderly new, like the freshness of a winter dawn. Over the whole earth, light flashes up, revealing jubilation in the heavens, igniting the enthusiasm of joy in human beings. For in this newborn Child, the dawning and rising of the Sun-King himself announces itself as fresh as on the first day. In Him, the pure shining innocence of the first human being radiates like a corona of light. 

Mary, the representative of all human souls, not only cradles the Child in the warmth of her arms. She also cradles and treasures the first light of his great new Dawning in the warmth of her heart.

The shepherds are filled with astonishment and fearsome joy. They actively seek the Child, speaking warmly to all about what they have seen and heard. 

Tender cradling, wonder, and joy—all this ignites afresh in our hearts at today’s new dawning.  We see the scene with our mind’s eye. With the poet, our hearts say: 

artist unknown

I would like to rock you and sing softly

and go with you to and from sleep.

I would like to listen in and listen out

into you into the world….

I have laid my eyes upon you wide

and they hold you gently…. 

 

Rilke, Book of Images, trans. by E. Snow. p. 59.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

 

Christmas 2021, Pure Humanity

Christmas II, Dawn

Luke 2:1-20 

Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s], according to Luke in the second chapter. 

artist unknown

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 firstborn. 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: 

possibly Margarethe Hauschka

God's Spirit reveals itself in the heights

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 II, Dawn

December 25, 2021

Luke 2:1-20

When we were born, we crossed the great divide between heaven and earth. We died out of the realm of the angels and fell into the material world, the world of death. And the angels mourned their loss of us.

The Christ Child, however, draws heaven across the divide, onto the earth with Him. The angels do not mourn because one of their own disappeared into the far country of death; rather, they accompany Him, proclaiming:

God's Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings Peace to all on earth

In whose hearts goodwill dwells. 

The light of heaven has descended into the earth night. The open souls of the shepherds, as do ours, receive the good news. An ancient hymn says: 

Why doth the sun re-orient take

Stephen B. Whately

A wider range, his limits break?

Lo! Christ is born, and o'er earth's night

Shineth from more to more the light!

….

This is the day of Thy dear birth,

The bridal of the heaven and earth,

When the Creator breathed on Thee

The breath of pure humanity.*

---

* Hymn XI From Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405), Translated by R. Martin Pope.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

Christmas 2020, The Weight We Carry

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 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)

www.thechristiancommunity.org

Christmas Dawn 2016, Healing

Christmas II Luke 2: 1-20

Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s], according to Luke in the second chapter.

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.

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!

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

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.

Visit our website!

Christmas Dawn 2015, Shepherd Didn't Go

Christmas II, Dawn

December 25, 2015

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.

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 25, 2015

Luke 2: 1-20

There is a story about the shepherd who didn’t go. When on that first Christmas night the shepherds heard the good news from the angels, one of them, a young boy named Dahvid, did not go with them. He wanted to, but he could not, because he had given his word to his master, mean strict Old Abraham, that come day, come night, come life, come death, he would not fail to keep the flocks. He wanted to go, and wept tears of disappointment when the others left, but he found a certain comfort in thinking of the helplessness of his flock.

After the others had gone, wolves indeed came and made off with one of the sheep. Dahvid followed them and found the two wolves fighting over the sheep at the bottom of ravine. One left, but the other attacked him, biting him on the leg and arm. Nevertheless he managed to kill it with a heavy blow from his staff. With great and slow effort he and the wounded sheep slowly climbed out of the ravine and made their way back to the flock, where the boy collapsed.

As dawn was brightening, Old Abraham came to check his flocks. He grew angry when he called and there was no answer. When he found Dahvid lying on the ground, he thought for a moment that the boy was asleep. But when he caught sight of the white face and bleeding arm, and the wounded sheep, a strange tenderness rose in him. He realized that the boy had not forgotten his promise. He bid his servants to take the boy to the inn for care.

Gerrit Honthorst

The unconscious boy was taken to the stable of the inn. Upon waking he heard the cry of the Child whom the other shepherds had gone to see. One of the shepherds brought the Child and laid Him in Dahvid's arms, the Child for whose coming the people had been longing for a thousand years.

The color at length came back to Dahvid's white cheeks, and strength and health to his limbs and he went back again to the plain. Old Abraham embraced him, "Forgive me, my son. I have been a hard master. Thou hast been very faithful, and for thy reward I make thee lord over all my flocks and half of them shall be thine own."

So Dahvid became a man of flocks, and all his days he was known among the other shepherds as the one who had held the Christ-child in his arms. And there was none among them who was thought so brave, and gentle, and wise as the Shepherd Who Didn't Go.*

Adapted from *The Shepherd Who Didn't Go", in The City that Never Was Reached, by Jay T. Stocking; published by the Pilgrim Press.

Visit our Website!