"To YOU is born this day..." 

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.   (Luke 2:9-11 ) 

"In Luke's Christmas story the angel announces that God is about to fulfill the promise to be a living redeeming God by entering into the depths of human life, by becoming one with us and for us in Jesus Christ.  But the shepherds were not ready to receive the radical newness of God's promise until they were first told, 'Do not be afraid.'"  (from Faithful and Courageous: Christians In Unsettling Times by Bishop Mark Hanson, p. 16)  I've found myself drawing upon this little book by our presiding bishop rather frequently as the volatilities of worldwide recession, wartime violence and climate change combine with my particular concerns for future wellbeing at church, home and workplace. 

It is for such global and local uncertainties that our Sovereign's Son entered into the world as a tiny, vulnerable child to become a blessing to all.  Those who have witnessed a birth firsthand can perhaps recall that miracle of the baby's first cry-a cry of such anguish, of such radical newness, that overwhelms the hearer with divine hope and promise in spite of one's fears for the future.  "O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger."  (Psalm 8:1-2 )  The miracle of Christmas was how God could combine the world's cry of anguish with the particular cry of an infant, and by the straightway path of that single life, silence every fear and birth a new creation.

            To YOU is born THIS day to respond with a cry of your own-to cry out against the volatilities and vicissitudes of the wilderness with a confident cry of hope:  "Do not be afraid; to you is born this day...a Savior; prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!"  (Luke 2:10-11 ; 3:4)  Surely God has prepared we earthlings not only to receive the divine hope of Emmanuel ("God is with us") (Matthew 1:23 ), but to share God's Majestic Glory (2Peter 1:17)-making that hope incarnate through our confident words and courageous deeds.  LORD, bless us all joyfully to do!

Peace+