Scripture Reading
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Reflection
John distills the entire miracle into twelve Greek words: the Word became flesh. Not "appeared to be flesh," not "wore flesh like a costume," but became — entered fully, completely, without reservation. Grace and truth arrived together in a manger; they cannot be separated. This is Christmas: the fullness of God choosing the smallness of us, so that the smallness of us might be filled with the fullness of God.
Prayer for Today
God of the seasons, there is a time for everything;
there is a time for dying and a time for rising.
We need courage to enter into the transformation process.
God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye
to their green, letting go of what has been.
We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk.
Help us to let go when we need to do so.
God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on
the ground, our lives have their own patterns.
As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.
God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always
the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives.
We always need to recognize your power-filled presence.
May we gain strength from this.
God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts
of growth lie within the season of our surrender.
We must wait for harvest in faith and hope.
Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables
us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future.
We yearn for insight and vision.
God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs,
may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us,
you entrust us with the freedom to choose life.
For all this, we are grateful. Amen
there is a time for dying and a time for rising.
We need courage to enter into the transformation process.
God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye
to their green, letting go of what has been.
We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk.
Help us to let go when we need to do so.
God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on
the ground, our lives have their own patterns.
As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.
God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always
the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives.
We always need to recognize your power-filled presence.
May we gain strength from this.
God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts
of growth lie within the season of our surrender.
We must wait for harvest in faith and hope.
Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables
us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future.
We yearn for insight and vision.
God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs,
may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us,
you entrust us with the freedom to choose life.
For all this, we are grateful. Amen
Amen.