The Christmas story while we have been telling it from generation to generation for over 2000 years, in all its beauty and wonder with the angel chorus, the babe in the manger, the shepherds in the fields, wise men coming from afar…. It never ceases to amaze and capture the hearts not only of the faithful, but those who hear it for the first time the world over. God in Christ Jesus, had come down from heaven to be with us, that is the amazing thing about all of this, not that a baby was born, not that his mother Mary wrapped him in a swaddling cloth, not even that he was laid in a manger for his bed, for babies are born every day and taken care of by their mothers, and the world over many children have far worst places to lay their heads then the animals feeding trough Jesus was laid in. The wonderful news of Christmas is that this baby, born of a human mother, was God incarnate, “Emmanuel, God with us”. God in the humblest estate of human life and the most ordinary of circumstances made his way into our world, not that we might have a holiday to celebrate as so many in the world are claiming it for themselves, “leave Christ out of Christmas” they say, we just want the Merry making and gift exchange. We can give all the material gifts we want, and host all the festivities, but nothing can do for us what only God could do through the gift of his son, as in the words of a Carol we sing from the old hymnal, “ Jesus came – the heavens adoring- Came with peace from realms on high; Jesus came for our redemption, Lowly came on earth to die: Alleluia! Alleluia! Came in deep humility.”
May you and yours have a most blessed and Holy Christmas,
Rev. Hannah+
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