Reading
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2: 1-9) Reflection Tucked in the corner of the stable, there is a lamb. Of course, there were probably more than a few animals there that night, but the lamb in our nativity scene is different. This lamb is a symbol of what is to come. Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. As people of faith, we know that this wondrous night is only the beginning of our story. We know that the swaddling clothes and the shepherds and the stable are Part I of this trilogy. In Part II, there is thunder rolling in the distance, and we can see the shadow of a cross on a hill. Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Not far from that hill in Part III, we see a tomb with a large rock rolled away and we can hear the echoes of another angel saying, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” And so tonight is just the beginning of our story, but what a beginning. The ancestors of Jesus are looking on from the heavens. This tiny life has been anticipated for thousands of years, and he is finally here. There is joy in the heavens. Behold. + --Sarah Hershberger Prayer Lord, we praise you. With all the angels and heavenly hosts in the heights above, we are grateful for your grace which is new each morning. With the sun and moon, stars, and waters of the sea we praise you for your creation. May we as good stewards take care of what you have given us. Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Christmas focuses on God within our lives. Our devotions this year were developed to look at the parts of the nativity scene.
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