For all of today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Stretched into eternity
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
The Eve of Christmas
Luke 1:67 … 79
Upon the birth of John, Zechariah’s silence was lifted and he spoke. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David … In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine upon those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
A few short months later, Joseph and Mary climb a final hill and enter Bethlehem. Mary is struggling with labor pains. Joseph is frantic to find a bed for her.
What comes over these people of Bethlehem? They refuse him, they refuse her. One after another they turn away until at last a compassionate innkeeper offers them a stable to share with the livestock. In a livestock nativity, baby born in a quickly cleaned manger filled with fresh straw, Jesus the Christ Child will be born tonight.
Mary’s labor comes under lamplight. The cows’ breathing fogs up the cold air. Perhaps Joseph is accompanied by a midwife, but perhaps not; and one way or another, the baby’s head breaks into view, the baby’s body slides out. Jesus cries and breathes, cries and breathes. Mary’s painful screams slow, quiet, cease.
She has been stretched day by day into the woman she is at this moment, the mother of Jesus, the mother of God. It won’t be long before Mary is holding Jesus’ hand as they walk to the well, and not long after that when he will be holding her hand as he walks with his disciples. They stretch together, mother and Jesus, into these days, and through them and after history, into eternity.
Like so many good Christmas Eves that followed this first, this deep and dreamless night lasts and lasts. There is so much to do.
Sing out joy to the world. Smiles and laughter crease shepherd faces, songs fill angel throats. The cattle are lowing and cats are purring, while Joseph and Mary rest at last, amazed and happy with their new baby. Jesus, blessed and known by God, shines already in the shadows. Bursting out. Alive.
We are no longer afraid of this dark, Lord. For how silently, how silently, your wondrous gift is given. Lord, you impart to our human hearts the blessings of your heaven. No ears may hear his coming, but in our world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, dear Jesus enters in.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1319
