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Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

SCRIPTURE: John 1:9-14

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

As early as 567 A.D., the church began to formally set aside the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany as both a sacred and festive season. Observing a prolonged festive Christmas celebration continued through the middle ages and early modern era, but in America the tradition has faded. It is Christmastide that represents the twelve days of Christmas known in the famous Twelve Days of Christmas song.  Following a year of much turmoil throughout 2020, it seems a great year to reflect on this tradition to enjoy the delights of the great gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Light of the World, as well as commemorate some of the great followers of Jesus, in the Christian tradition of Christmastide.

Christmas day marks the nativity of Jesus Christ…the incarnation of God on earth, fulfilling his promises throughout the Old Testament to be with us.  Human effort cannot make us children of God, but with Jesus’ presence and God’s grace…through the Word being made Flesh…we see God’s glory revealed in Jesus.  The shepherds marveled at the site.  The angels rejoiced.  Let us celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our savior. Our king. Rejoice!

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from the PCUSA Book of Common Worship.Kathleen Norris, a contemporary American poet and essayist.

Almighty God, you gave your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and be born of the Virgin Mary. Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  Pentatonix:  The First Noel 

IMAGE: Gerard van Honthorst: Adoration of the Shepherds