a child is born

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Our Advent waiting and preparation comes to an end tonight as we finally see the baby born in Bethlehem. Luke is the only one of the Gospels that tells the story of Jesus' birth in this kind of detail. From Matthew we learn of Joseph's part in the story and of the wise men visiting later. But only Luke shows us the manger scene, the birth of our Lord. Many of us have grown up hearing this story every year and the temptation is to get so comfortable with it that the story looses its amazement and power. The challenge is to see it with new eyes, with hearts and ears open to hear the amazing love of God. I saw a video clip of many different families, each reading the story aloud. An African American daughter reads to her parents and brother, a Latino father reads to his wife and child, a German father reads to his family. It was great to see the power of that story to awaken amazement and bind families together. So read the story together if you can; listen for what new thing God may be telling you this year.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 2:1-20

1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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.


8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"


15When 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." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.