Emmanuel, God with us.

During this season of Advent we have awaited your birth. Now it is upon us.

We can hear the faint cries of a baby in a manger, but not just any baby: the Creator of the universe held in the arms of the created; the Giver of all life dependent upon a mother’s breast for nourishment; the One who spoke into existence all we see – and even that which we do not see – not able to utter a single word.

Jesus Messiah has come.

And yet today, we still wait...we wait for your coming again. Not as a baby, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

We celebrate your birth in Bethlehem. And for those who know you as Lord and Savior, we celebrate your birth in us. This day/evening we pray the words of the old carol:

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Amen.