"A CHILD IS BORN" -- Christmas 2022

Luke 2:1-14 
In those days a decree went out from the Roman Empire that all the world should be registered.   All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.   He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.   

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth to her  firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room of the inn.

Now in that same region there were shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”   And suddenly there was with this angel a multitude of angels, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
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And now it is Christmas.  This is what we have been leading up to all these past weeks. Lighting candles of Hope, and Peace, and Joy, and – finally, Love.  Candles lit against the darkness.

And now the Child is born – Love is born and the Light of God’s love shines among us – and, hopefully – in us, once again.  And so we light the Christ candle, completing our Advent candles.

But there are yet more candles to be lighted.  In the beautiful words given us by Howard Thurman:

• I will light candles this Christmas,
• Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
• Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
• Candles of courage for fears ever present,
• Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
• Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
• Candles of love to inspire all my living,
• Candles that will burn all year long.

And now, having lighted our candles, let us share bread and cup one more time in this turbulent year, because the next time we gather here it will be in a brand new year.  Let us give and receive one more blessing of fellowship, one more promise of God’s unending presence with us and in us as we share the bread, which is the very being of Jesus, and the cup, which is his life and his love, and let us join God’s promise to be One.

My name is Cherie Marckx, and this is The Church of the Open Door in Ukiah, California.  We are blessed to have you with us.

Merry Christmas and blessings for all....
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