Sunday, December 25: Scripture – John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being
4 in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him.
12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 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.
For me, music and Christmas have always gone together. Caroling, Christmas Cantatas, singing Silent Night on Christmas Eve holding a candle all hold special memories for me. Throughout the ages, peoples around the world have sung about God’s gift of love and peace. On your busy Christmas morning, sing a carol with your family. Give thanks for God’s gift of his Son to us. You can listen to this one here.
On this Day Earth Shall Ring
On this day earth shall ring
with the song children sing
to the Lord, Christ our King,
born on earth to save us;
him the Father gave us.
Refrain:
Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo!*
On this day angels sing;
with their song earth shall ring,
praising Christ, heaven’s King,
born on earth to save us;
peace and love he gave us. Refrain1
*Therefore, Glory to God in the Highest
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Son. We praise you, along with the heavenly host, saying Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to all people. Amen.
Miranda Hopkins
1Text Piae Cantiones 1582.Trans. Jane Marion Joseph c 1917