Readings for Sunday, December 27
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
God-with-us:
Angels sang about it. Prophets foretold it. The arrival of the Christ child was to be an outward and visible sign – to those with the eyes to see – of an inward and spiritual mystery when a vast ripple in the fabric of time and space would burst open for an instant. And God would become a human being, identifying God’s self with creation; the Word made flesh; Emmanuel, God with us.
The One born that night, the One whom the wise men sought out and thought to be the king of Jews, hallows that night – and this night too. The infant, whom the magi worshipped, would by his life and his death be revealed as our heavenly king. The One who was held in his mother's arm – would be raised up to hold in his tender grasp – all those who call upon his name.
The story of long ago is not only about angels and shepherds, a mother and her newborn. It is also about us, all of us gathered amid the candles and readings, carols and prayers. It is the story of our salvation. God came for us. As God entered into time and history so long ago through the Word made flesh, so God enters our lives even now. Thanks be to God for the light that has come into the world.
