Christmas Morning 2013

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
~ John 1: 1-5


          Alleluia! Christ is come! Bells are ringing this day! This is the day we raise our voices with shouts of joy, “For unto us is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord!” This is the day that unites and renews us. We join in our favorite traditions, so familiar and yet new again as if for the first time this year.

          This past year we have known about despair. We have known about deep loss and about dark, endless nights. We have known about being so afraid that we have sometimes forgotten how to breathe. And it is into this place, this tender and vulnerable place that Christ enters. It is here into this darkest place that Christ’s light come: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

      Here in John’s gospel the One who has been long awaited, the One promised is not born in some far away land, in a long ago time. This Word-made-Flesh is born in us this day. This day is celebrated all around the world, lest we ever forget, because the love that is come is here, is now with us and in us. And so we sing this day, a song that resonates through the centuries and is born in us this day: “Hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as (human) with (all) to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Breath prayer: "Our light is shining"  "Alleluia"

Prayer: Alleluia! We give thanks this day for your loving-kindness. May this light shine in and through us this day and always. In your glorious name we pray, Amen.

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