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Morning Devotion for the Season of Christmas

December 27, 2023

Invitatory

Alleluia. To us a child is born: Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Reading

1. In the bleak midwinter

frosty wind made moan,

earth stood hard as iron,

water like a stone:

snow had fallen,

snow on snow, snow on snow,

in the bleak midwinter,

long ago.

2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him,

nor earth sustain;

heaven and earth shall flee away

when he comes to reign:

in the bleak midwinter

a stable place sufficed

the Lord God incarnate,

Jesus Christ.

3. Angels and archangels

may have gathered there,

cherubim and seraphim

thronged the air,

but only his mother,

in her maiden bliss,

worshiped the Beloved

with a kiss.

4. What can I give him,

poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb,

if I were a wise man

I would do my part,

yet what I can I give him,

give my heart.

Meditation - Winnie Smith

The simplicity of this hymn and the cold winter scene it describes seem incongruous with the festivities of just a couple of days ago. There was brass and fanfare, fancy outfits, and meals requiring days of preparation. Now we sit in this period of calm and quiet. I hope for many of you, these are long days spent in pajamas, drinking coffee, and playing games or reading. More and more, the days leading up to Christmas have become total chaos - we barely have time to get done what “needs” to get done, much less to enjoy the rush and excitement. But this period immediately after the holiday has blessedly become a time for family and a respite. It is the time for the truest celebration of Christmas.

“In the bleak midwinter” recounts the birth of Jesus many years ago. Was there really frosty wind and snow on the ground? Was it a cold, bleak night? Maybe, maybe not. The images it conjures up in my mind remind me more of an English countryside than a stable in Bethlehem. Either way, they paint the image of a quiet, dark night, when the world was totally changed. And they describe the arrival of the Messiah aptly: “Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.” This is the apocalyptic side of Christmas, the side that reminds us Jesus’s incarnation changes the whole world. Too powerful, too different, too much to be fully in heaven or fully on earth, yet he was both. And when Jesus returns to reign, it will once again shake the foundation of our lives and world. This Messiah is a big deal.

The last two stanzas of the hymn remind us of the glory surrounding Jesus, but also assure us that our very selves are worthy to glorify Jesus, too. We are not the angels and archangels who foretold and announced his birth, nor are we the shepherds or wise men who offered gifts. All we are capable of is all that we are asked: to give our hearts. To believe in the power and marvelousness of this whole incarnation story.

I invite you to think about this in these quiet days before returning to school, work, and a demanding schedule. Remember the absurd and amazing reason we gather for worship. Recognize the profound fact that a small baby of only six or seven pounds, born in meager surroundings, is our Lord and Savior who will willingly die for you, and honor him with thanksgiving and praise.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.