A Christmas Blessing

 

But the angel said to them (and you and me and we today), “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”  Luke 2:10

 

A Blessing from Kate Bowler’s book The Lives We Actually Have

 

God, this is a kind of magic

the way this day shines so strangely,

how it sparkles beyond our understanding.

(Yes, it was a disaster

the way the food turned out this year

and how what’s-her-face said ~ even though I told her not to ~

What shouldn’t be repeated. Again this year.)

But, somehow, this day never fails to awaken a longing

to love well—or at least better—

all those here with us, and those far away,

and to remember with gratitude

those now gone, gone, gone and missed.

What is this mystery?

Our God who set the world spinning

should come down for this one reason:

to love us into a newness.

Not for gain, nor our capitalist fantasies,

but the hope that freely, lavishly,

that we might learn to see, feel, and live Christ’s love.

Thank you.

In the name of Christ the Giver and the Gift.