Merry 2^nd Day of Christmas!

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. – JOHN 1:14

This is what Bethlehem is really about. He became one with us and for us. Never again could a human being say, “My God does not understand what it means to live on this earth.” The mystery of His great love is the reason why Bethlehem is our home. It was His first.

Our prayers today are gratitude for the Incarnation.

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and worshipped him. –MATTHEW 2:11

If home is where the heart is, then Bethlehem today is home for each of us. “Come, Desire of nations, come! Fix in us Thy humble home.” That line of the carol

says it all as we draw near. We have so much to say to this Child of heaven and of earth.

Let your heart speak to Him.

No one has ever seen God. It is God, the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. – JOHN 1:18

This is the Christmas story in one verse. This Child, approachable by poor shepherds and townfolk, by travelers from the ends of the earth and by every sincere seeker since then, is ours. The face of God’s love is revealed this night in a Baby cradled in a manger. No more can be said.

In awe and thanksgiving, we draw near to the heart of God

Unless the Lord builds the house those who build it labor in vain. –PSALM 127:1

 There are two aspects to our spiritual journey. There is the work we choose to do and there is the grace of God to help us. The psalmist reminds us of this second element. We are often such doers that we forget to ask God to aid us. The Lord longs to support us as we build that spiritual home.

We will be aware this day that our Christmas welcome to Jesus depends on both our soul work and on God’s grace.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. –PSALM 84:10

 

The doorkeeper might be as physically far from the great ritual actions of the Temple as one could be, but it was a place of privilege. It was he who welcomed pilgrims home to the house of the Lord. Could we offer a similar welcome to someone this day by being Christlike, consciously, in life’s ordinary demands?

Let us be aware of our role as doorkeepers of the Good News of Jesus.

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. –PSALM 23:6

 Only the psalmist knows the deepest meaning of what he says here. It probably stems from his desire to feel as elated and close to the Lord every day as he feels when he walks into the Temple courtyard on a festival day. Every day cannot be Christmas either, but we can dwell in the presence of God each day. All it takes is our desire.

Our prayer for today: Dwell in me as I long to be a home for you.

But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home. – 2 PETER 3:13

Righteousness, being in a loving relationship with God, is one of the key concepts in the Bible. The author of this letter weaves it into the very nature of God’s promises coming to fulfillment. We need to remember that it is not some alien idea but part of our call from God. Thus He challenges us to be part of this new world where we and our neighbors stand together in justice. What step might we take today to make God’s dream come true?