Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas 2006


I offer the Matthew 1:18 - 25 Scripture Reading tonight at our Christmas Eve services (9 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. if you are in Connecticut.) To me, this small pericope contains all of the hope of the holiday season.

Joseph goes to sleep, ready to "dismiss" Mary after finding out she is pregnant. An angel comes to him and tells him to name the baby "Emmanuel’,which means, ‘God is with us.’ "

It is the promise of every new birth...indeed of every life...of every day. God is with us. That is the hope, that is the promise, that is the light to guide us in these dark days.

I will read a poem tonight by Edward Erickson. It ends:

To celebrate Christmas is to attest
the power of love to remake humankind.
May we be renewed in the love which can save the world.

May you and your family be renewed with love, peace, and grace on this Christmas and always.

Rev. Debra

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