Merry Christmas

​What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise one, I would do my part.
But what can I give him?
Give my heart.
~ In the Bleak Mid-Winter

---

     He is born! Alleluia! Unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

     This day celebrates the coming of a child, a fulfilling of God’s promise. Emmanuel, God-with-us. In flesh and blood. One who laughed and cried. One born to walk the earth, share the stories, teach lovingkindness, heal the sick. One born vulnerable into the world while an angel sang overhead. One who would turn the world upside-down.

     What can I give him? Isn’t that the question of the day? Perhaps it is our life-question, ever-evolving. One gift enough? Maybe two? Will a tithe do it? How about if I sit in the front row and participate on three committees? What is required of me? In the Hebrew scriptures, in Micah’s book we are taught we are to do these three things: do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God. So, what does this day require of us? How are we to know?

     Perhaps in our end is our beginning (as our friend T.S. Eliot would say), we can turn back the pages to the first Sunday in Advent. Then I invited us to live into the words from Hamilton, “Look around, look around. How lucky we are to be alive right now.” This isn’t a statement anyway implying “hey look at me, I’ve got it all figured out.” I think on this Christmas day it serves us well in two ways. First, we can acknowledge and be thankful for all that we have, friends and family, comfort and able-nesses. How lucky we are to be alive. Not to be taken for granted, not for one instant. Secondly, and more importantly the call to look around speaks to how we are to be in the world. Our lives aren’t to be spent in the audience. We are to look and see what is happening or not happening. We are to hear the angel’s `Alleluia,’ to respond with love. If there is hunger, bring food. If someone is sick or in prison, visit. If someone is cold, share a blanket.

     What can I give him? It’s as easy and hard as the invitation found in the last line of Christina Rossetti song: Give my heart. Last night's Lessons and Carols service at NDPC ended with the benediction below. We were given our road map and blessing both. It is a beautiful piece entitled, “Shine On, Star of Bethlehem” from the Sabeel Liberation Theology Centre:
          On the Eve of Christmas Hatred will vanish
          On the Eve of Christmas the Earth will flourish
          On the Eve of Christmas War will be gone
          On the Eve of Christmas Love will be born
                  When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person
                              it is Christmas
                  When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love
                              it is Christmas
                  When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes
                              it is Christmas
                  When the spirit of revenge dies in me
                              it is Christmas
                  When in my heart I no longer want to stay apart
                              it is Christmas
                  When I am buried in the being of God
                              it is Christmas.
     Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for sharing this journey. I’ve been grateful for your companionship during this Advent season. Wherever you are and however this day unfolds for you, may you be reminded that love is greater than fear and light greater than darkness.