Christmas 2023

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

A Christmas Prayer  by Joyce Rupp

Emmanuel, God-with-us,

You chose to come for each person,

The destitute and the wealthy,

The unfortunate and the privileged,

The troubled and the peaceful,

The healthy and the ill.

You came in human form                                

With a message of extravagant love,

Showing us how to be with those

Who have much less than we do.

You came offering a gesture

Of respect and reverence

Instead of indifference and disdain;

Giving courteous kindness

In place of thoughtless disregard;

Contributing ongoing support

Rather than a mere holiday handout.

Change my heart.

Turn it inside out,       

Toward the larger world.

Remind me daily of those who struggle

With their basic existence.

Lead me to help change social systems

That contribute to this ongoing struggle.

Enlarge my awareness.

Increase my generosity.

Guide my choices of how I live,

What I purchase,

And how I use my material wealth.

Remind me often of your presence

In those I tend to ignore or forget.

Boundless Love,

Thank you for cherishing each person

On this planet.

Photo: Christmas midnight Mass celebration in the chapel, Bethlehem University 2019.

Music to listen in stillness 

O Nata Lux - O Light born of light by Lauridsen

Youtube piece sung by voces8   HERE

Text

O nata lux de lumine

Jesu redemptor saeculi,

Dignare clemens supplicum

Laudes precesque sumere.

 

Qui carne quondam contegi

Dignatus es pro perditis

Nos membra confer effici

Tui beati corporis.

 

English Trans

O Light born of Light,

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

With loving kindness deign to receive

Suppliant praise and power.

 

Thou who once deigned

to be clothed in flesh

For the sake of the lost

Grant us to be members of thy blessed body.