December 24: The Manger

Luke 2:1-19 Today’s symbol is the manger. The Christ child is born! Alleluia! I wonder how Mary and Joseph felt, now that their waiting for Jesus was over? I wonder if they were tired? Relieved? Happy to finally hold their child? I wonder how I feel, now that Advent waiting is over? What has been hard? What has been good? What do I want to say to God about this waiting season? I wonder what it was like to hear and see the angels singing the good news in the night sky? Can I imagine myself there? Can I taste a little bit of their joy? Long ago, the prophet Isaiah promised that a new king would come out of Jesse’s family tree, and that he would be a loving king for every person in the whole world. I wonder if I can trust that Jesus is that king? I wonder if I can welcome him and his kingdom into my life? I wonder what is different, now that God has come to live in our world? Can I ask God to help me see the world around me with his eyes? I wonder if I can say thank you to God, who loves us so much that he was born and lived here, on earth, as one of us. What do I want to say to this God, who is with us always? God who is with us, on this night your holy light shines bright in the darkness.Thank you for coming to live among us, to bring us into your light, and to save us from sin and death. We praise you, Jesus, and we love you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.