So why did Wenceslaus go outside? He had no choice. He saw someone in need and his Christian duty made him go out, no matter how daunting the weather.
Born at the time we need to remember that we are people of joy, for Love Incarnate has come to live among us. Born at the time we need to remember we are people of peace, for the Prince of Peace has come to live among us. Born at the time we need to remember we are people of hope, as we sing praises to our God whose sheltering faithfulness withholds nothing from us.
Find that shepherd place in you, the place open to wonder. Listen, now, listen with the heart of a shepherd.
I invite you to celebrate lille Juleaften with me this year. Finish your chores, put on your Christmas finery, and take a moment’s rest before the feast to come.
Let’s open up the gift of hope. With God’s other graces, it already lives in you. Reach into your spiritual closet. Take it out. Try it on. Get comfortable with it. Take it for a test drive. Share it with the family. Show it to the neighbors. Ask God to keep hope fresh in you every day.
How can we possibly know if a word comes from God? How will we recognize his presence when God is visiting his people?
As surely as there was something wonderful growing inside of Mary and Elizabeth, there is something wonderful growing inside of you too.
Like the captives, we need to serve our time in captivity, so that we actually understand the blessings of living in freedom, in a pleasant land, and in peace and harmony with our neighbors far and near. Sometimes it seems like an impossible dream, but it’s what we can do rather than what we can’t is important.
Mary the rebel, the righteous warrior with peace as her shield, sings a song of defiance, liberation, and deliverance. She lifts her hands and heart to God, and calls us to join in, too. Free to sing out with her our hopes for a world remade and repaired by justice.
Prayer, thanksgiving and wonder nourish the little lamp that I bring to the wedding banquet. I would like to keep that oil near to hand.