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| Image by Nicholas Raymond |
A GREETING
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
(Psalm 32:11)
A READING
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of God stood before them, and the glory of God 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 Saviour, who is the Messiah. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’
(Luke 2:8-12)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
(Luke 2:19)
A REFLECTION
Those of us who are Christians can also remember the example of Someone who lived with a sense of meaning and purpose in the most chaotic and oppressive time. We have only to recall that Jesus lived with God as the point of his being. Again and again, he told his disciples that he had come from God and was going to God. He knew who he was, that his deepest identity lay in the mystery that he was born of God. And he knew that he was for God, that he had come to announce the great dream of God, the dream of the reign of God and the great economy of grace. This was the meaning and purpose of his life. It was his passion. His affirmation of the point of his life was profoundly based on his gratitude for being born of God.
- from Radical Gratitude by Mary Jo Leddy
VERSE OF THE DAY
He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being,
and he sustains all things by his powerful word.
(Hebrews 1:3a)
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MUSIC
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus who took on human form to come among us. This risky and dangerous and extraordinary event is a cornerstone of our faith, a turning point that sends us forward on our path of discipleship with renewed hope.
As we lean our hearts into the joy of God becoming one of us, we are also still carrying the struggles of our particular lives. Perhaps we are celebrating Christmas without those we had hoped to be with: perhaps the pandemic or the flu or storm cancellations have meant that we are frustratingly unable to be with those we love. Perhaps financial hardship prevents us from being able to fully celebrate at all.
The gap between the challenges of our lives and the joy we long to embody is captured in today’s first music, adapted from a poem by Juhan Liiv, a 19th-century Estonian poet. Liiv struggled with poverty and used poetry as a way of expressing his deeper spiritual longings. “Somewhere the original harmony must exist,” are the lyrics in English, “hidden somewhere in the vast wilds. In Earth’s mighty firmament, in the far reaches of swirling galaxies, in sunshine, in a little flower, in the song of a forest, in the music of a mother’s voice…” The poem, as adapted by composer Arvo Pärt, tries to capture that imagined moment where the world is restored to how it was at the dawn of Creation.
Jesus comes to remind us that in the midst of struggle and brokenness, God breaks through, always looking for ways to help us find restoration. In her reflection, Mary Jo Leddy encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and his dream of the “great economy of grace”. The second music video brings us finally to unabashed expressions of joy. “Tell it on the mountain, shout it from the valley,” we hear.
Wherever this day finds you: He is here with you. He has become human, and he has found his home in you. How will you sing the “joy in your soul”, this Christmas Day?
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Today marks the end of the LC† A Joyful Noise devotional project. Thank you for joining us on the journey! Grateful thanks to all those who share the devotions and comment on our social media pages. Deep gratitude to our donors and to those who uphold this ministry through emails and conversation. Gratitude to Henriette, Catherine and Steve. God’s peace be with you.
See you in Lent! -- Deacon Sherry.
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| Image by Denis Collette |
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LC† A Joyful Noise is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year. Thank you and peace be with you!
