This Reflection is taken from the Sunday Devotion written by this blogger for Christ Episcopal Church, Yankton, SD on December 24, 2020
THE GOSPEL
Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
REFLECTION
A very Merry Christmas to all reading this devotion. May this night find you well and filled with joy.
* * * * * * * * * *
On this holy night, as we recall the wondrous story of Jesus’ birth, I invite you to relax, to sit silently, and to catch your breath, just for a moment. This year has been an arduous journey for all of us. So take in the blessed silence of this moment. Let it be framed by the calmness of your breathing the air that has been inhaled and exhaled by every life form on this planet for countless eons. Breathe the air contained in the very first breath of the newly born Jesus and be born again this night.
Let us embark on an imaginative journey back to Bethlehem and take in the night air surrounding that wondrous birth.
* * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, imagine how a very pregnant Mary and a very anxious Joseph came to the end of a long day after the arduous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted and taxed by the Romans. Imagine their frustration at not being able to find any place to stay for the night when Mary could give birth at any time. Imagine their resolve in having to take the offer of the only available space, a covered stable back of a crowded and noisy inn.
* * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, imagine Mary delivering her first child, our very brother Jesus, into our world with only Jospeh by her side to help as the stable animals nonchalantly look on. Imagine the breathing of Mary as she gives birth to a baby, the anxious breathing of the soon to be father, Joseph, and then the quick intake of the newborn Jesus’ first breath. Imagine, after the pain and anxiety of childbirth, the joyful breathing of relief that followed, and the adoring breath of new parents looking with wonderment at their breathing, living child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger.
* * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, imagine the silence that ensues as that night deepens and the world slumbers. Imagine the tired out parents of a baby boy huddle lovingly around this wondrous bundle of joy that is theirs alone, if just for a moment.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, imagine the angels allowing the holy family their brief moment of silent joy. Imagine how they cannot contain the joy of heaven and have to tell someone in the slumbering world what it is sleeping through. Imagine them going to the only people awake in the region, a group of shepherds doing night duty on hillside with their flock. Imagine how those shepherds’ night suddenly becomes day as an angel stands before them and announces that a new day has dawned, a baby is born, the long awaited Messiah. Imagine how the whole sky lights up with intense star light as the angelic hosts breaking out in song, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, imagine those shepherds quickly taking leave of their flocks and heading into to town to see for themselves this joy that awaits them in the stable outback of the inn. Imagine the eager shepherds catching their breath as they explain to a surprised Mary and Joseph why they have arrived, how they couldn’t wait, and how heaven is rejoicing in song that will forever linger for them in the twinkling starlight of every night from that moment on. Imagine how, with their arrival, Mary is taken back to the moment Gabriel appeared to her, how the impossibility she wondered about then is now being adored by a group of humble shepherds as she and Joseph look on.
* * * * * * * * * *
Now, just for a moment, relax and breathe in the breath of ages. Take in God’s life-giving breath expressed in the breathing of Mary and Joseph at the end of their arduous journey, the breath of their anxiety, the breath of their frustration, and the breath of their resolve, but mostly take in God’s life-giving breath in that first breath of Jesus, the breathing and life-giving Love of God.
On this holy night, let us take in the unity that is present in the air we share with them and the world we live in. For as we live and breathe, we give expression to God’s new creation “born in us today.” The birth of Jesus Christ is in truth the birthday of us all. So let us journey with the shepherds to that manger and adore one of our kind who is one of a kind, Emmanuel, God with us.
Now the waiting time is done,
Earth’s long winter overcome.
Light illuminates darkest skies.
Weary people now arise and
Greet this time, it has no end,
Alpha and Omega enters in.
Let hearts be filled with Christmas light
For in the Child’s approach this night
It is we who arrive, Loves’ greatest delight
[Norm Wright December 24, 2008]
AMEN.
* * * * * * * * * *
Until next time, stay faithful.
Norm
No comments:
Post a Comment