OUT OF THE ORDINARY: GOD IN US
Bible readings
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.
You have multiplied exultation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Great will be his authority,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room.
Now in that same 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 Saviour, 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 favours!”
Christmas liturgy
Four candles have been lit along our Advent way
and now our final candle
reveals to all the world
God is with us, God is in us.
Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
New life is celebrated this day,
Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, Saviour,
the babe in a manger, Redeemer of the world
light and life and love for the world.
Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
Jesus born for us, each and every one of us.
Not just for shepherds and for wise men,
not just for those he knew then,
oh yes, for them and us and evermore.
Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
The extraordinary transforming the ordinary.
The extraordinary making sense of the ordinary.
The extraordinary giving purpose and meaning.
The extraordinary making me and making you.
Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
Christmas God, you have led us through Advent and brought us to the dawning of this Christmas Day.
You have transformed us and remade us, changed us, repurposed us, enlightened and envisioned us.
Our ordinary selves made new in you.
We marvel, overwhelmed and speechless, at the gift of a child who transformed the world, who offered and offers such love, such joy, such goodness, such purpose and such life.
Christmas God, we can’t now or ever thank you enough for all you have been, all you are and all you will be; transforming your people, making all things new, redeeming and blessing each one of us.
Amen.
Reflection
- Reflect on what you think you are asking for when you sing, “Be born in us today,”.
- Pray that Jesus may, indeed, be born in us today; that we will be able to see God in ourselves and other people.