Christian Reflection and Prayer

by
Ron Walters

The incarnation; it defies description.
The eternal God became mortal man.
The potter became clay. The Maker
of all took residence in a manger of
hay. Nothing could be more diametrically
diverse. No wonder the angels long
to look into the situation.

To those of us who've heard the
story all our lives, it seems so normal.
But, to those who've never heard, it
must sound absurd. Such was the
world Jesus was born into. They had
never read the Christmas story, or seen
it portrayed by children each year in church.
To them, it was the simple reality that
this child was different. His birth, His
development, His mission were all very
strange.

Everyone knows where children come
from. But, on very rare occasions God
has chosen to mix things up. Adam, for
example, came into being without a man
or a woman. Eve, on the other hand, came
from man and no woman. On one occasion,
God chose a couple too old to have kids
to bring young Isaac into the world. But,
never had a woman given birth without the
aid of a man. God had saved the best for last.
"A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son,
and she will call His name Immanuel."

Of all people, you and I are most fortunate.
We've been given the privilege to tell this
Christmas story again this year. I hope
you're as excited as I am!


Blessings,

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING !

Let the Child and Joseph and Mary teach
us the dignity and importance of children
and families in a society so neglectful of them.

Scripture:

Micah 5:2-5a

Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-55

Prayer:

Adult:
O Jesus Christ, Holy Wisdom,
come and teach us your way;
Word of life, Word made flesh,
come, speak your truth.

Child:
Jesus, come and teach me,
how to sing and play,
how to learn new words;
tell me what to say.
Teach me how to be a child,
for you know the way.

WHAT A GIFT?

Scripture:

"He Who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how
shall He not with Him also freely give
us all things". (Romans 8:32)

Reflection:

There is a beautiful story that took
place in a small town in Mexico.
It was Christmas time and time to
place the nativity scene in front of
the church. Within the manger was
a very valuable, old, statue of the
baby Jesus. This was a poor
congregation and they took pride
in this baby Jesus statue. The
Priest was concerned that some-
one may steal the baby Jesus and
preached several sermons of his
concern of a possible theft. He
pointed out the penality for the
sin of theft.
Sure enough, the Sunday before
Christmas, the statue of the baby
Jesus turned up missing.
The local police were immediately
called, and a extensive search was
begun. The statue and the thief were
not found. On Christmas
day the congregation gathered, deeply
saddened. As the Priest approached
the pulpit to speak, a little boy with
a beaten up red wagon entered the
chuch. Within the wagon was the
statue of the baby Jesus. The little
boy nervously walked down the middle
isle, with the wagon and placed the
baby back in the manger. The Priest
asked the little boy why he took the
statue? The little boy replied, "As
God the Father delivered the baby
Jesus to protect us, He (the little boy),
took Jesus to protect Jesus and
delivered Him back so He can protect
us.
Just like this little boy, at Christmas
God delivered Jesus to protect us.

There are times when difficult
circumstances can cause us to feel
that Christ has been stolen from our
Christmas. HE HAS NOT !
We know that God is for us, and we
have this wonderful assurance: "He
Who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how
shall He not with Him also freely give
us all things".
Remember nothing, absolutely nothing,
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus.
Look for Jesus in the manger, on the
cross, risen from the dead, and in our
hearts and our very soul.
THATS WHERE WE FIND JESUS AT
CHRISTMAS !