Devotional for Christmas Day

"We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we  have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life - this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare it you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us - we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." - First John 1:1

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"Quick now, here now, always - A condition of complete simplicity (costing not less that everything) and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well..."

- T S Eliot, Little Gidding)

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We do not worship an idea, a law, a system, or a holy book.  Astonishingly our meeting with God takes place within humanity, with the human flesh.  We find God there, among us; A God seen, touched, heard, felt: A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We have travelled through and arrived at a place of light.  Perhaps we were expecting something very different, for our Saviour looks as though he needs saving, he is a vulnerable child, struggling against the odds.  Yet when we look into the face of this child it is like looking into the face of God.

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"And now we have found where [Christ was born] what then?  It is neither in seeking or finding, the end of all, the cause of all is in the last words 'to worship Him'.  That is all in all, and without it all our seeing, coming, seeking and finding is to no purpose."
  - from a sermon given on Christmas Day in 1622 by Lancelot Andrewes

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Lord, we have been changed in this Christmas meeting.  Truth revealed cannot be unrevealed.  Although we have not yet fully understood, nor lived out all its implications, for that will take a lifetime and beyond, we will carry your truth with us, like a new born child.  May the love and nurturing of this life we carry be our salvation.

(St. Martin-in-the Fields, Advent Devotional for 2005)