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

SCRIPTURE: James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

Basil (329-379), Bishop of Caesarea, was influential in development of monasticism in the Eastern Orthodox church. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), known as “The Theologian” by the Greeks, served as the Archbishop of Constantinople.  Gregory had significant impact on Trinitarian theology and the doctrine that Jesus was fully God and fully man.  They were both born in the area of Cappadocia, Turkey and studied together in Athens. They were friends throughout their lives and, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, developed the backbone of Eastern Orthodoxy and monasticism during a period of doctrinal struggle and confusion. They are also honored in the Western church. Basil famously wrote:  “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”  Basil’s words exemplify the wisdom that Jesus practiced in his life on this earth.  During this Christmastide, we should reflect upon where we seek wisdom. Is our notion of wisdom based on God’s goodness, mercy, and joy or more on the secular worldview of wisdom?  How does following Jesus help make us wiser, more peace-loving, considerate, humble, and merciful.

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  .  The collect today is from the Church of England Book of Common Worship.

Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  Anthem Lights: Go Tell It On The Mountain

IMAGE: Jeanie Truitt: Go Tell It Over the Mountain

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

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:15-21

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

According to Jewish tradition, a baby was circumcised eight days after his birth and was the occasion where the child was formally given his name. The circumcision of Jesus has traditionally been seen as the first time the blood of Christ was shed, and thus began the process of the redemption of man. It was also a demonstration that Christ was fully human and showed obedience to Biblical law.  In more recent decades, the feast day has focused increasingly on the day that Jesus was named. Jesus’ name in Hebrew was “Yeshua” which translates to English as Joshua. When Yeshua was translated into Greek (the language of the New Testament) it becomes “lesous,” which in English is Jesus. So often today the loving name of Jesus, which is so powerful and tied to salvation, is invoked casually and often in vain.  Honor the name of Jesus, who is the King of Kings.  Honor His name, this day and throughout the year.

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, your blessed Son fulfilled the covenant of circumcision for our sake, and was given the Name that is above every name: Give us grace faithfully to bear his Name, and to worship him with pure hearts according to the New Covenant; 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:  Hillsong Worship: What a Beautiful Name.

IMAGE: Albrecht Durer:  The Circumcision of Christ

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

SCRIPTURE: John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

This day traditionally celebrates Sylvester I, who served as Pope of the Western Church from 314-355. Medieval legend made him responsible for the conversion of emperor Constantine. This day commemorates the day of his death.  During Sylvester’s rule as Pope several large churches were founded and built, including the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Old St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as several churches built over the graves of martyrs.  The day was traditionally marked by church attendance at a watchnight service (midnight mass), as well as fireworks, partying, and feasting.  The holiday is still celebrated to commemorate Sylvester by several countries in Europe. 

Our thoughts this day are on the approaching new year. This gives us an opportunity to think about how time passes in such a mysterious way – in some ways too quickly and in other ways very slowly. We can also reflect on the many blessings and graces God has bestowed upon us this year – even amid the pandemic and politics.  It is also a time to reflect upon and confess the sins and short fallings we have had throughout the year.   As we end the tumultuous year of 2020, let us think about the long history of a growing church, and consider how we might, in 2021, help participate in spreading the Word of the Gospel to all people we know and meet. Perhaps this will be in new ways we have never experienced before!

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from the PC-USA Book of Common Worship.

Eternal God, a thousand years in your sight are like a watch in the night. As you have led us in days past, so guide us now and always, that our hearts may learn to choose your will, and new resolves be strengthened; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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:  Maeve MacKinnon and Pipers of the World: Auld Lang Syne.  Scot’s Version

IMAGE: A 1247 fresco of Pope Sylvester I and Constantine

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

SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

We know practically nothing about the first years and the boyhood of Jesus. We do know the family travelled to Egypt to escape Herod, they then returned to Nazareth, and that the family travelled to Jerusalem for Jewish celebrations.  This Sunday, in celebrating the family during Christmastide, we look to Scripture to find how to live together in peace and love.  Paul tells us that the people of Christ should be wearing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in all they do. This isn’t simply a list of virtues we might want to aspire to. This is a list of how Christ lived. How can we exemplify these virtues in our day to day interactions, first with our family and also with all we interact with? How can God guide our relationships to live in right, loving relationship with Him and each other? Take time to celebrate your family today.

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from a collection of contemporary collects in the Book of Common Prayer.

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  The Collingsworth Family: Home for Christmas

IMAGE: Raphael: The Holy Family

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

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 2:3-6

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

Thomas Becket (1119-1170), Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his cathedral by the soldiers of King Henry II on this day in 1170. Because of the great shock and sensation that his martyrdom caused at a time when all of Europe was Catholic, the Roman church, in the 13^th century, assigned the celebration of his feast within the privileged days of Christmastide. During the Middle Ages, the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury was the third most important shrine in Europe, after Rome and Santiago de Compostela. His death resulted in a rallying of enormous pressure against the king. Becket became a symbol of liberation against tyranny, a symbol of the integrity and independence of the church from an oppressive government. In the words of Rozann Lee, a contemporary Christian writer, “The grace, strength, and courage that defined this and all other martyrdoms throughout church history is not a virtuous and bold act of bravery made in a single moment. It is the fruitful manifestation of a willful decision to accept the grace of Christ and painfully allow it to transform one’s life.”

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from The  Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer.

O God, our strength and our salvation, you called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your church; Keep your household from all evil and raise up faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the gospel; through Jesus Christ, the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  BBC Radio: St. Thomas Honour We.  From BBC program “Britain’s Cathedrals and Their Music” This is a medieval song that honors Thomas Becket.

IMAGE: 13^th century illumination depicting Thomas Becket’s assassination

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

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.  When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

The Latin Church instituted the feast of the Holy Innocents at a date now unknown, sometime in the 4^th or 5^th centuries.  The feast was to commemorate the small children of the neighborhood of Bethlehem who were put to death by Herold, who was seeking to kill Jesus. They were the first Christian martyrs.  These innocent victims bear witness to Christ in a world which would not receive Him.  Our hearts are filled with compassion for these innocent children, who shed their blood to satisfy the cruelty, vanity, and pride of a tyrant.  Unfortunately, the suffering of innocent children is still a scandal for our human hearts.  Pray for today’s children who are victims of famines, epidemics, wars, murder, abuses, bullying, trafficking, abandonment, persecution, terrorism, and injustice of any kind. God is still angered by the suffering of innocents.

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from a Lutheran Collect for the Holy Innocents, Martyrs.

Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying.  Put to death in us all that is in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  King’s College Cambridge: Coventry Carol

IMAGE: Classic Orthodox Icon: Holy Innocents of Bethlehem

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

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 1:1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.  This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

John and his brother James were among the first disciples called by Jesus. It is traditionally believed that John was the youngest of the apostles and survived the rest.  He played a leading role in the early church. John’s passages on the pre-existence of the Word and the incarnation of Christ as the light of the world are among the most well known in the New Testament.  Light is an important part of the celebration of Christ during Christmastide. Wine is traditionally blessed on this day in remembrance of the legend that John safely drank poisoned wine offered to him by his enemy after he had blessed it. It is also an act of reconciliation to share a cup of wine with an “enemy” on this day.  In 1983, Pope John Paul II visited Mehment Ali Agca (the man who had shot him two years earlier) in prison and shared a cup of wine with him. As we commemorate John the Evangelist, how can we share God’s light and grace with family, friends, and casual acquaintances today? And who might we need to share wine with in an act of reconciliation?

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from the Episcopal Eucharistic Lectionary.

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  Lauren Daigle:  Light of the World

IMAGE: Saint John the Evangelist from the Book of Kells (c800)

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

SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:8, 15:59-60

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. . . All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel…While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

CHRISTMASTIDE REFLECTION

Traditionally, the day after Christmas commemorates Stephen, a deacon in the early church in Jerusalem and the first Christian martyr. Stephen, in Acts 6, was selected to participate in a fairer distribution of welfare to the Greek-speaking widows.  There is a tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages, of giving money and other gifts to those in need on this day. Almsboxes in churches were traditionally opened and distributed to the poor.  In Britain, boxing day was celebrated, beginning in the 1830s, as a day where the British aristocracy were said to give their servants the day off and provide them with a gift of some sort in a Christmas box.  Other countries in the British empire adopted this tradition, as well as several other European countries.  While boxing day is not an established custom in this country, the spirit of giving being extended beyond Christmas day is a good practice to observe throughout the year.  Remember that generosity multiplies and is not something that should be reserved for one or two days of the year.  God calls us to be generous in our treasure and, also, in our relationships with others.  Stephen modeled generosity in sharing resources and in asking for forgiveness of those who were his enemies.  Where are we called to extend our generosity?

COLLECT:  Written by Collects are short general prayers used in Christian liturgy to draw our focus of worship.  The collect today is from the Anglican Church Book of Common Prayer.

O Glorious Lord, your servant Stephen looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors: Grant that in all our sufferings here upon earth we may love and forgive our enemies, looking steadfastly to Jesus Christ our Lord, who sits at your right hand and intercedes for us; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  Robert Shaw Chorale:  Good King Wenceslas

IMAGE: Peter Rubens:  Stoning of St. Stephen

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

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

REFLECTION: Written by Margot Wallace

In Matthew 2:1-12, we are told how the wise men from the East, carrying gifts for the new ruler of the Jews, made their long, perilous journey. With great faith, they followed the star to Jerusalem to worship the king. They were filled with joy as they worshipped the baby Jesus.  They avoided returning to Herod, who wished to impose harm on the Christ child.

How many of us have embarked on a trip with great anticipation, expecting a celebration in an unknown place? Trips are exciting but also demand focus to ensure the necessary connections for a successful journey. While we are limited in our ability to travel at this time, we still hold dear vivid memories of adventures in distant lands. I recall doing just that one birthday. I was going to Florence for the first time to meet friends and celebrate! Unlike following a star as the wise men did, there were many connections to ensure timely travel. My anticipation was great. Upon arriving, there were many new people to meet and places to see. The atmosphere was merry. Many gifts were presented to me on my special day. Like the three wise men, I had been led into an unknown environment, relying on faith, to proceed to a new place. The evening hours progressed with much celebration. The memories of this birthday are fresh and vivid. Do you have similar travel stories?  Think of one such favorite memory where you travelled to an unknown environment with great anticipation for the coming celebration by nothing more than an itinerary (star).  Perhaps on the way you encountered a “Herod” with his own deceptive agenda? 

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 98:4-6

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  Written by Kathleen Norris, a contemporary American poet and essayist.

Giver of all that is good, we thank you today for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who was born into poverty in a hard and cruel time, who gave himself for us, and lives with you in glory. We thank you for all your friends and prophets who have gone before us, and those who taught us to celebrate this feast of the Nativity with beloved Scripture and beloved carols and loud rejoicing. Help us to teach those who come after us that Christmas is a holy time, a time to seek reconciliation and peace.

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MUSIC VIDEO:  All is Calm, San Diego Opera:  Silent Night. 

IMAGE: Three Wise Men: Painted by Margot Wallace from our church

If using an advent wreath, light the two purple candles, the rose-colored candle, the third purple candle and the center white candle. The fifth white candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s candle.”