ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
December 25, 2021
On that first Christmas, the angel announced: “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” We have here an individual gift with an universal application. The Good News is given to a small band of shepherds on a particular hillside in a specific moment of time, but it is Good News of great joy for all people. When an individual becomes the recipient of the Good News, that individual becomes, by default, a delivery agent of that same good news. The shepherds received the Good News of God’s limitless love, but such a gift comes with an accessory called responsibility.
Thank you, O Lord of Life, for the gift of your love revealed in the Baby Jesus. And might I say, thanks for the responsibility you have attached to this gift which will continue to animate me and the love I share. Amen.
