Merry Christmas!

The Sunday readings this week show Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about Emmanuel — God-with-us. Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew also shows that when God comes to be with us surprising things happen. Many readings this week continue in that vein, God brings new life into the world in surprising ways — Samson, Samuel, John.

Many of the prayers and readings of this season use the image of Jesus entering into our world as a light shining in darkness. It’s a great image as Jesus’ light helps us to see that path forward and navigate with a sense of safety and security.

Another of the key themes of this season is the union of divinity and humanity and how Jesus transforms our humanity by uniting it with his divinity. Jesus shares his light with us and calls us to pass it along.

There are lots of things to pray for this Christmas season. The world around us needs Christ’s light in all sorts of way.

One of my prayers this Christmas is that as a parish we can continue to grow in our ability to share Jesus’ light and the deep, abiding joy it brings. I pray that all of our liturgy, outreach, advocacy, formation, and spirituality efforts in the coming year nurture and spread the joy and light of Christ.

Christmas blessings!

Fr. Ben