The Journey of Advent ends with Christmas. We have sought hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent, and now we celebrate the birth of Jesus. So long ago Joseph and Mary traveled to the city of Bethlehem, to be registered as was required by the Emperor’s decree. Luke 2 tells us that while they were there, “she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place” for them (Luke 2:7).
Knowing that Jesus is God’s Son, it is hard to imagine that the world wasn’t ready for Jesus. It is incredible to think he was born in such a humble way. In many ways, our world mirrors the ancient world. Many are not paying attention to the ways in which Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” Jesus is always with us and for us. Indeed, he tells us in John 3:17, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” This is the Good News: Jesus came, continues to come, into our hearts, to be with us through all of life’s joys and pains.
This Advent, we have been focusing on light. Love’s Pure Light is here! May the light of life burn brightly in our hearts. Like the shepherds and angels, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Prayer: Thank you Jesus, for coming to us. Thank you for walking this earth and knowing what it is like to be human. Help us to always feel your presence with us. Amen.
Activity: Celebrate!
- Attend a worship service. https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church to look for a United Methodist Church near you. There are also so many wonderful options online that you can watch today, or even tomorrow!
- Sing with the angels! Sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or another favorite Christmas hymn.
- Read Luke 2:1-7.
Christmas Eve/Day: Christ candle, Liturgy for Advent Wreath
Read: Luke 2:8-20 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then the 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 the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest of heaven, and on earth peace among those who he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Light the white/center candle, to represent Christ’s light coming into the world.
Pray: Gracious God, thank you for giving us the best gift of all, which is Jesus. Thank you for the Christmas story that reminds us once again that you are with us. Thank you for loving us so much, and giving us this day to celebrate. May we be filled with your Spirit so we may share our hope, love, joy, and peace with the hurting world. O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Amen.
Redheadedrev 