Christmas Day - God with Us

Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created  by  God’s Son, and everything was made  for him.  God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised  from death, so that he would be above all others. God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son.  And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.  Colossians 1:15-20

Readings:

Isaiah 9:2,6-7, 

John 1:1-5

Colossians 1:15-20

Reflection

“Joy to the World” is one of my favourite songs to sing during Christmas, and really all year long, though we often avoid it. The opening lines reveal an incredible, almost

inconceivable truth – “The Lord is come, let earth receive her King.” We have the
wonderful advantage of looking back on that event, whereas our ancestors in the faith longed for that event to take place—they too had their advent, of waiting, longing and anticipating. Who would have thought that the promise of a Messiah would be fulfilled by God humbly descending to us—to you.......you? But this is exactly what God’s plan was from the beginning. So what, dear friend are you waiting and longing for—may you this day know the delight and joy of the Lord.

Today, amidst it all, we pause to celebrate the day when the Word of God became flesh, when light stepped into darkness, and when true joy entered into the world. Joy to the world, the Lord is Come!

Prayer

We shout and sing for you have come to us
Angels dance as creation bows to the Lord of all.
God bring us Christ’s peace
Christ’s light
Christ’s love

Amen