It's the end of the year and the first Sunday after Christmas where we encounter the beauty of God's being

 

READING:

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

 

PRAYERS:

Let us pray to God who has given us the revelation of divine grace and truth through the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.

+ For faith, that the garments of salvation and righteousness may clothe us, and bring to our outward actions the inner workings of God’s joy in our lives.

+ For the leaders of our country and our state, that the light of Christ may illumine their hearts, empowering them to boldly proclaim the truth without fear or deception.

+ For the victims of war, political upheaval, and economic uncertainty, that we may not forget their needs but continually seek ways to offer the assistance that Christ would have us bring.  

+ For those who are limited by illness, living with the uncertainty of debilitating diseases or the darkness of mental despair, that they may continue to call upon the hope of God.

+ For all who have died and for all who are lonely or grieving, that they may remain close to the heart of the Risen One, whose presence knows no end.

+ For the Church as we move toward the challenges of the future, that we rejoice in the faith of our ancestors and in the ever-present support of our sisters and brothers in this household.

+ For each of us, that as we enjoy the material blessings of this season, the light and love of Jesus may continually transform us into a spiritual people through whom the Word of God is revealed.

 

MUSIC:

Christmas Eve, Borrtex

I Saw Three Ships, Ben Devries

In the Bleak Midwinter, Rue Royale