Birth of Jesus
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn't want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means "God with us.") When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn't have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.
Luke 2:8-20
Announcement to shepherds
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.The Lord's angel stood before them, the Lord's glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David's city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, "Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go right now to Bethlehem and see what's happened. Let's confirm what the Lord has revealed to us." They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
John 1:1 - 18
Story of the Word
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being hrough the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn't extinguish the light. A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn't the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn't recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn't welcome him. But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God's children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. he Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. John testified about him, crying out, "This is the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.'" From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace; as the Law was given through Moses, so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made God known.
For many who have heard the Advent story over and over again, there is a danger that the story will become familiar and lose its freshness. Ask God's Spirit today to give you eyes to see and ears to hear the Advent story in new ways, ways that lead to vitality and life.
Today I was one of the narrators in our Christmas Cantata. (I do not sing!) The story is so familiar and I don't imagine that much of it is literally true. The truth lies in its message and meaning. With Jesus birth, the world order was overturned, but not as expected. The meaning of Jesus birth, life and death is that Love is the ascendant power. Love has the power to bring change, hope and transformation to every human life. Violence will not be overcome with violence. Only Love can overcome violence and hatred. Only Love can overcome suffering and despair. We sing for Joy because of the power of Love
Reflection Questions for Sunday, Week Four
Take time for quiet reflection. Respond to the questions below by writing in your journal or quietly reflecting.
- Where do you see wonder in your world? How can you recover the awe and mystery and beauty of the Advent story?
- Imagine telling the story of Jesus' birth to someone outside the church. What strikes you as amazing, fantastical, or wondrous?
- Consider people you know. Who needs to have this wonder and hope injected into their lives? How can you participate?
Prayer for Sunday, Week Four
- Wondrous God, this Advent lead us to seek new discoveries and to go where we have never gone before. Help us, O Lord, to allow for the singing of angels. Amen.
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