Welcome to Naznet's
Advent and Christmas Celebration

Week 4, Wednesday: Love

Nelson Bradford

Please, click on the midi player to hear the music. The music is What Child is This?

Let's Have Christmas!

Years ago I was on the local church board. One of our responsibilities was to determine the church's Christmas gift to the pastoral staff. The treasurer had been discussing the finances of the church and then asked, "And what shall we do about Christmas?" Another member spoke up and said, "Let's have one!"

We all enjoyed the humor of that comment. But deep down inside my heart said, "Yes! Let's do!" I do not remember what the Christmas gifts to the staff were that year, but I sure remember that remark and who said it.

St. Luke gives us the wonderful story of Mary visiting her Aunt Elizabeth in Chapter 1. Elizabeth was in the sixth month of her pregnancy with John (vs. 36). Then, when Mary told her aunt about the visitation of the Holy Spirit, and the coming Messiah, "the babe leaped in her womb" (vs. 41). John, too, said, "Yes! Let's have one!"

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Father, we thank You for Jesus' birth,
And for the promise of peace on earth.
We know that this peace can only reign
In the hearts of those who are born again,
Who will give their hearts and lives to the One,
Who was born of a virgin - Your only Son.
We thank You for redemption's plan,
Which brought salvation down to man.
Lord, speak to our hearts at this Christmas tide,
Show us the way to in You abide.
Loving You first, then loving your brother,
Helping and sharing with one another.
May we learn to live as pleases You,
Following Jesus in all that we do.
Not only at Christmas, but all the year through.
And the praise and the glory we give to You.

-Ruth McLachlan Geddes

So, what shall we do about Christmas this year? Let's have one! Down in the very depths of our soul, let's have Christmas!

~ Nelson Bradford
Bourbonnais, Illinois USA
ps - Isn't God good?

Today's Scripture Readings*
[Psalm 72] [2 Samuel 7:1-17] [Titus 2:11-3:8a] [Luke 1:39-56]

Dear Father,

Thank You for this opportunity to celebrate You!! Let us never again doubt that celebration of Your Love, Your Presence, and Your Son is not only helpful to us emotionally, but that it brings honor to You like no other celebration can ever do. Let our celebration not only be in what we have received, as precious as Your gift is. Let us celebrate by giving that Gift to those who are around us. Help us Father, as we take Jesus to the world.

Amen

*These readings are adapted from the Daily Office of the Book of Common Prayer, Year 2.  For Year 1 readings, see Daily Readings, Advent 1.

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