WATCHWORD:
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring You good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to You; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to You: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20
Meditation:
Christmas Eve
A Happy and Holy Christmas Eve to all of You! Advent is over and now we come together to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. The stable of Bethlehem helps us to imagine how Mary and Joseph were the first people to see and hold the Son of God.
The first visitors to the stable were shepherds, humble people who took care of the animals who lived on the hillsides surrounding the town. What attracted them to the stable? Perhaps they heard heavenly music from angels who came to announce the holy birth of the Son. Maybe it was an unusual star that shown down on the stable. It must have been a strange and wondrous sight – shepherd folk visiting the One who one day would call Himself “The Good Shepherd”. Shepherds who only wanted to worship the Holy One.
That blessed event in a stable and it’s many visitors, has been presented to us in skits, stories and songs. Whole arias have been written about it, and most of us pause in whatever we are doing when the strains of The Messiah begin. We welcome all the familiar songs of this holiday season, embracing the meaning of each, and lending our voice to the choirs. We love this part of the season, even knowing that when Christmas comes and goes, we probably have heard enough of the talented sounds of the season, and, certainly, more than enough of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
For centuries, Christmas was celebrated not as a single day, but as a whole season in parts of the world, beginning with this day, Christmas Eve. Perhaps the practice of celebrating the evening before the big day is an echo from ancient Jewish reckoning. Among earlier Jews, a day began at six in the evening and ran until six the following evening. Had not Moses written: “An evening and a morning were the first day”?
We recall fondly the way it used to be on Christmas eve. The late evening candlelight services, the caroling, and the telling of so many of the traditional stories. The pandemic has altered that a bit, but has not changed the meaning.
So, what do we take away from all this? Christmas Eve, the evening before Christmas. Just another day in a blessed event we all hold dear, in memory and in prayer. Even as we gather in mind if not in small family groups, we cherish the memories and in doing so, we worship our Emmanuel, our Lord and Savior, the Christ Child.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help You imagine and appreciate the truth and beauty of Christmas – the day when God’s Son came to us in the flesh and shared His love, peace, and mercy with us and with the whole world. This day our hearts are filled with joy and happiness because the promise has been fulfilled. This day the Son of God is born.
The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature. We are no longer alone and forsaken. Today the real path to Bethlehem is open for us. So be it.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, help me experience Christmas wonder on this holy evening. May I feel awe for the ultimate gift You’ve given humanity. Reach out to me so I can perceive Your wonderful presence with me. Help me perceive the everyday miracles of Your work around me during this most wonderful time of the year.
May the light of hope You offer help me transcend my worries and inspire me to trust You. Light broke through the darkness of night as angels announced Jesus Christ’s birth on the first Christmas. As I look at Christmas lights tonight, may I remember the wonder of that Christmas, when shepherds received the good news from Your messengers. Let every burning candle and twinkling light in my home remind me that You are the light of the world. When I’m outside this evening, remind me to look up at the sky. Let the stars I see help me ponder the wondrous Star of Bethlehem that guided people to You. This Christmas Eve, may I see You in a new light because of wonder. We are so grateful for Your coming among us and being our Lord and Savior. Amen.
(This Watchword is a repeat of the Watchword posted Christmas Eve, 2020.)
