Christmas 2024

After years of planning and leading Christmas Eve services (which I loved!), tonight I will be one among many who sit quietly and hear the story again.
Weary parents…both from taxation and travel.
Overcrowded place to stay.
Child born.
Shepherds in the field.
Angels who surround them.
Magi who see the ONE star among millions.

Did it happen that way?
I doubt it.
The stories I/we will hear again tonight are told looking back and looking forward and not looking at.
So, it is not literal.
But that does not mean it is not true.
For the question asked then remain today.
Which way leads to genuine peace?
The way of Rome and it’s present day proxies?
Or, the way of Jesus who reminds us we belong to each other?
Do messengers still appear to catch us off guard and to point us in the direction we are to go?
Do they still say “Fear not, but do the next right thing?”
Is a child still born in harsh, unwelcoming, overcrowded conditions.
Yes.
Every. Single. Moment.
Is one of them…
Could one of them…
Be the one
The next one
To help us see and to live into being that Grand Dream of God.

Tonight, I will sing the carols and light my candle and hear the story again.

Christmas blessings to one and all!
May you find your way to Bethlehem
Wherever that might be for you this night.