January 4, 2026
II Christmas
Introduction
Within the gospel reading’s profound words lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth.
Lessons
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Joy at the gathering of God’s scattered flock
Psalm 147:12-20
Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. (Ps. 147:12)
Ephesians 1:3-14
The will of God made known in Christ
John 1:[1-9] 10-18
God with us: the incarnation of the Word
Hymns:
299 Cold December flies Away
295 Of The father’s Love Begotten
287 Let All Together Praise Our God
Anthems:
We Three Kings
Communion Hymns:
487 What Feast of Love
496 One Bread, One Body
471 Let Us Break Bread Together
460 Now The Silence
Commentary
Reflecting the Grace of God
In sharp contrast to the image of Jacob, who wrestles with an angel and prevails, in today’s first reading the Lord redeems Jacob from hands too strong for him. Jacob does not always prevail. We too are reminded this day that it is not our own strength but God’s power that blesses, strengthens, fills, gives, and grants peace. God has the power to bring together and to scatter. God creates family not because we are God’s blood relatives but through adoption. In baptism we are claimed, redeemed, and forgiven. We receive wisdom and are lavished with grace. We are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. We receive an inheritance. Through God’s powerful gift, we are gathered up, become children of God, and receive grace upon grace.
Receiving this gift of grace we are called to live as children of the light. In this holy calling we have John the Baptist as our guide. You can tell the story of Jesus leaving out all sorts of important details. In John’s gospel the shepherds, angels, and manger are all absent. But the gospel writers agree, you cannot tell the story of Jesus without John the Baptist. You simply must have the one who comes solely to point others to Jesus. This is our calling as well. We who are forgiven and redeemed, we who are claimed and called, are the ones who point to Jesus. We do this with our lives; we do this with our words. We point to Jesus when we feed the hungry, when we invite those we know and love to know the gift of grace we see in Jesus. We point to Jesus when we allow the holy light of the season to shine through all we do and all are.
Christmas Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as the shepherds knelt at your manger bed in awe and wonder, we pray that we too might experience that same sense of wonder and awe at the moment that heaven touched earth, when the divine met humanity and God's Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Help us to retain that wonder, reverence and awe for God's plan of salvation - for God's greatest gift to us of Love.
We offer you our humble praise, our adoration, worship and most especially our hearts to you, our Savior and Eternal God. Call us back to you once again. Back to faith in your Word, back to our commonwealth in Heaven, back to your kingdom of Pure, Unconditional and Eternal Love.
Loving Jesus, you were born in a lowly stable but worshipped by angels. Be with all who are lonely, all who are forgotten during Christmas celebrations, all who are estranged from family and friends. Send your angels to give comfort, peace and love. Continue to be our hope and our light especially when life feels heavy, painful and hopeless.
Jesus in the manger, Lion and Lamb lay down in peace. Make us also to work towards a peaceable Kingdom here on earth. Stop stronger countries' greed for power and control, and the unlawful and unjust grabbing of lands and resources from weaker countries. Help us to respect the sovereignty of every nation. Stop our human thirst for guns and violence. Inspire us to learn to use words of peace, words of reconciliation and words of love for one another so that our children and future generations can live safely and securely without the scourge of violence.
Jesus, for whom there was no room in the inn- give courage and hope to all who are homeless and struggling to survive wherever they may be. Open our hearts and minds to reach out in love to help as we are able.
Jesus, child of Mary & Joseph, as your family had to flee to Egypt accompany, comfort and protect all refugees in search of a safe home.
Jesus, as you fasted in the wilderness, help us to be generous in feeding those who are starving or struggling with food insecurity and a lack of resources.
Lord of the desert, help us to heal and restore the earth. To bring forth water in our earthly deserts and green lush habitats that support all creatures. Teach us ways to better share our environment with others so that we can all thrive. Help us to nurture clean air, water and land that no longer poisons our bodies. Tolerable air that promotes safe heating and cooling across the world. And make us generous in sharing our resources rather than hoarding them.
Jesus, as you healed the sick we pray that you would bring healing to all those within our family and beyond our family that are ill in body, mind or spirit. Strengthen all and give them courage to persevere and endure.
Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, you hung in agony on the cross. Give strength and comfort to all who are suffering.
Jesus Child of Bethlehem, the Wisemen brought gifts of great value- myrrh, frankincense and gold. As you gave your life for us we give our lives to you. Like the poor shepherds, we bring you our hearts, our love and our willingness to serve in your name. Bless our humble efforts to spread your Word and your love to all people without prejudice.
Lord of Light and Wisdom, you call your people out of darkness into your marvellous light. Grant us wisdom for the living of our days. Open our eyes to see you more clearly, to love your more dearly, to follow you more nearly as the New Year begins to dawn.
Lord God of the Church Universal, mold us as one in heart and mind to serve you joyfully. To you we sing our praises "Gloria in Excelsis Deo."
Amen