O Come All Ye Faithful
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer included this collect (and the one below) in the first editions of The Book of Common Prayer, 1549 & 1552. The prayer is a one-sentence catechism. The only begotten Son of God takes our nature upon him and is born this day of a pure virgin. His Incarnation makes it possible for all to be born again in baptism, made God's children by adoption and grace, and each day, be renewed by the Holy Spirit.
"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."
Jesus is born, full of grace and truth. We are made God's children by adoption and grace. Christmas is a feast of heavenly Grace and divine Love.
The hymn Of the Father's Love Begotten is based on the Gospel lesson from John, and urges "let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, evermore and evermore!"
Not only do we lift our voices in praise, but also in creating justice for those victimized, setting free those long kept in chains by destroying those chains. We raise our voices glorifying God for the Truth found in this Holy Child, and we double-down on honoring and respecting the God-given dignity found in every human being. Bending our hearts and lives and will before the Word made Flesh, the Father's Love Begotten, indeed no tongue can be silent, no life can be silent, no Church can be silent. We have been adopted by grace and love. God has come! For us! For you! For all! No exceptions.
Joy to the World
Christmas Blessing
May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, bless you in this holy season, and fill you with the light of his grace and favor, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you, always. Amen.
Go forth in the name of the Newborn Prince of Peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
The Bishop and Canons will offer a reflection each week during Advent and Christmas, t
