Good morning dear ones! Today is the day! The last day on this particular journey for this particular devotional time. Thank you sooooo much for giving your time, thoughts and reading eyes this season. I will be back in Lent to journey together then (Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18 so we will begin then). May today be a wonderful day of coming light!
Today’s scripture:
Luke 2:1-14 (NRSV)
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered.4 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And 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 in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
My favorite children’s book about the birth of Jesus is called, “The Nativity” by Julie Vivas. I have included two of the pictures here. I absolutely love her illustrations to this amazing story. I love that it represents the holy family as non white. I love that the angel Gabriel is not perfect but very human like even with tattered wings. I love that there is joy and mystery where appropriate and after she gives birth to Jesus there is wonder from Joseph but exhaustion from Mary. I think it captures my feelings around this day.
I am excited about what is to come and pretty nervous about working through three services. I am captured by mystery and wonder about what is to be but I know that tomorrow around 2pm I will be exhausted because of what has been born.
I am full of joy and apprehension….Christmas is here! Will it be any different this year?
I want to connect to angels that look like me and sound like me. Let’s be honest I have a hard time listening to the other as well…especially if they seem intimidating.
I am filled with God’s proclamation and I am a bit tattered.
The nativity holds all of these things for us as we live into this day. This is not a day for just busyness. As much as the commercials tell you, you don’t need to buy a bajillion last minute things.
Instead let the day wash over you. Prepare for what is to come, put all of yourself out there today immersed in the strenuous story and get ready to be ablaze in candlelight in the midst of darkness.
Merry Christmas,dear ones!
Courtney
Living in Violet 