Meditations for Christmas Day
| Wed Dec 25 |
am: 2, 85 pm: 132, 110 |
Micah 4:1-5, 5:2-4 | 1 John 4:7-16 | John 3:26-31 |
Notes on the Liturgical Feast for Today – Feast of the Nativity – Christmas
The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt About A.D. 200, Clement of Alexandria says that certain Egyptian over curiously theologians” assign, not the year alone, but the day of Christ’s birth, placing it on 25 Pachon (20 May) in the twenty-eighth year of Augustus but 354, civil documents in Rome contain three important entries on the civil calendar. There 25 December is marked “Natalis Invicti” and on the “Depositio Martyrum” a list of Roman or early and universally venerated martyrs, under 25 December is found “VIII kal. ian. natus Christus in Betleem Iudeæ.
The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerstmis, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French Noël, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceding sacred vigil.
Biblical Meditation The word of John the Divine both in the Office reading and the Eucharist call to mind the “why” of Christmas in profound but beautiful terms. Simply put the reason is love incarnate, kenotic love, amazing love! This love is more than Eros (that which is an attraction), more than just affection (phileo), but pure, uncompromising love. The Feast of the Nativity takes God’s self-giving to a totally new level. In Jesus we recognize that self-giving is the very nature of God. No more partial insights, no more trying to comprehend how God lives and loves as Jesus is “the very imprint of God’s being.”
PRAYER: Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving! Amen.
Spiritual Discipline /Activity – The original Christmas story is about the ultimate gift given for the purpose of changing the world. Take time today to change a person’s world. Talk, listen (and maybe even sing Christmas carols) with those who would be blessed by a person changing their world.
Ancient Words/Present Grace:
“Blessed be that Child, Who gladdened Bethlehem today! Blessed be the Babe Who made manhood young again today! Blessed be the Fruit, Who lowered Himself to our famished state! Blessed be the Good One, Who suddenly enriched our necessitousness and supplied our needs! Blessed He whose tender mercies made Him condescend to visit our infirmities!” – – St. Ephraim the Syrian
Our thanks once more to Fr Kevin Francis Donlon and the people of the Church of the Resurrection in Tampa, Florida for these Meditations. We wish them all a happy and blessed Christmas.
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