What is Christmas? Is it a time of buying and selling, with bright colorful lights that shine because of the darkness that surrounds us? Is it a time of giving and caring for loved ones and strangers? A time to decorate our homes and put out colorful lights as a visual gift to our family, friends, and neighbors? Is it a time when the community comes together to celebrate in parades and various festivities, a time of parties, and feasting? Is it a time of sharing and personal gluttony? I think it is fair to say it is all the above and more… much more.

Last week, we looked at Joy and celebrated with Mary the mother of Jesus. We celebrated with the joy-filled young expectant mother whose only source of joy was the Christ child within her. Her circumstance, even her unexpected, unwed, pregnancy was a danger to her very existence. Yet, she seems to know something the rest of us haven’t discovered, or maybe have forgotten. In all her unknown future and concerns, she literally sang out her faith and thanksgiving in praises to God.

The Christ within her was both a gift from God and an unknown peril that would change her life forever. Much of the change would come at a very high price compared to the peaceful life of love and family most of us seek. Mary knew she carried Immanuel, “God is with us.” Despite the trials to come, the pain, and the loss, Immanuel was with her, in her always, part of who she would be for all time.

It is one of Christianity’s great gifts of understanding, that in Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, God has come among us to live and share in this life of ours. To celebrate Jesus’ birth is to sing with the heart and soul of his life and teachings, to weep with his death, and be amazed by his resurrection. It is to celebrate Christ’s gift of life and love which endures, despite the darkness, violence, and hunger that we too often bring into the world. Despite the shadows we often cast, God remains with us and within us, to give and be the light of God’s love in this world. So turn on the lights, feast, and share, for God has come to us, and by the Lord’s divine salvation each of us is sacred and worthy of love and forgiveness.

Join us this Sunday and celebrate in song, scripture, and prayer, as our choir brings us the message of God’s great gift of love and salvation in our Christmas Cantata.

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Pastor Rick