Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Jesus is Born!
[ Isaiah 62:6-12, Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12), John 1:1-14 ]
The tilt of the world has changed and deep hope is here. Everything of advent comes into sharp focus: we’ve been anticipating hope – and HERE it is. The Word is made flesh! Our longings made real in new ways! And, as we celebrate, we share in joy, laughter, delight and our hearts overflow with songs that glorify and praise God along with our ancestors in faith! We join shepherds in Hallelujahs, we ponder with Mary, we write poetry about mystery with John. Somehow, in this moment, we discover that because Jesus is born, Word made flesh, dwelling among us, God come down, divine love revealed in wholeness, now we are truly a new people.
As God’s people redeemed by the Lord we’re free to know truest good news – for us, for our neighbours and for the nations – Salvation is HERE!
I love Isaiah’s descriptions: we get new identities and break into singing! God’s salvation comes and songs overflow from our lives, declaring good news. As God’s people redeemed by the Lord we’re free to know truest good news – for us, for our neighbours and for the nations – Salvation is HERE!
Now the life of the world has come. Grace and truth are revealed. God’s daring, drama, hope, New life, shines. We are reclaimed. We BELONG because the Word is enfleshed amongst us. Lives are reshaped by knowing Jesus – that’s us. The goodness of this good news is for all of us: And we rejoice! On Christmas day as we celebrate again our King’s birth, we remember that this truth has changed, can change, and will continue to change everything! Because Jesus is Word made Flesh, Alive, we see the world differently; because Jesus is alive we see OUR LIVES differently. We are now God’s – in Jesus salvation has come, and our lives sing a contagious, good-news-for-all song!
Deirdre Brower Latz
Principal and Senior Lecturer in Pastoral and Social Theology
