Dec 24, 2023
(Is.52:7-10; Ps.98:1-6; Heb.1:1-6; Jn.1:1-18)
“You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
The coming of the One prophesied by Isaiah and hailed by John these many days is fulfilled in our midst at this blessed moment in time. And so in our dark world, the light that is God now shines.
“Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion.” To “all the ends of the earth” He makes “His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice.” For the Lord God walks among us now as man; He “who is the refulgence of His glory, the very imprint of His being,” is now revealed, is now made flesh; “full of grace and truth,” He appears in our midst.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And He through whom “all things came to be,” who brought life, “the light of the human race,” now shines – and now we come to know Him; now we hear the Word spoken to our ears… now we can say, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The Word no longer hidden, God no longer speaks “in partial and various ways,” but now “through the Son” the fullness of truth, the blessing of peace, is upon us.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him,” for He comes “announcing peace… announcing salvation.” No longer need we wander in darkness, wondering, Where is our God? He is here. He is Jesus. He washes all darkness from our minds, He accomplishes “purification from sins,” and He sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” giving power to be like Him, “to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, “who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.” Come, see and know the transcendent glory standing in our midst.
And so, what have we to do but rejoice? Though “no one has ever seen God,” though He has seemed to us beyond understanding, yet “the only Son… has revealed Him.” So let us “sing joyfully before the King, the Lord” “with the harp and melodious song.” Let us “break into song” and “sing praise.” For He whom “all the angels of God worship” has come for our salvation, and our Christmas should only be merry.
God be with you, brothers and sisters. Jesus love you.
Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt.
Music: "Baby Being Born" from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt.
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O LORD, your glory is revealed to us this day,
and so let us offer you due praise.
YHWH, your Son is born in our midst and so reveals your glory to us. His light now shines in this dark world, and so men are saved from their sins. O let us worship Him who is the very imprint of your Being! who is one with you. You are with us this day in your Son, and what should we do but rejoice.
Glory to you, LORD and GOD, for now the feet of Jesus walk among us and peace is proclaimed to the ends of the earth; salvation is ours by the grace and truth He brings to this land. Let all eyes behold the salvation He has wrought in our midst. Let all souls break out in song in praise of His glory.
It is our joy to worship you, O LORD, and the only Son whom you have sent. For you are our life; in you we are born – by you all Creation comes to be. And now you are with us in the flesh of your Son; now your dwelling is among us. To us this day please bring your peace.