Christmas
Unwrapping God’s Love
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Below, you will find a short liturgy for Christmastide. Feel free to do it anytime during the Twelve Days of Christmas. You may do this alone or with a few others. If you are doing this with a group, before you get started, make sure to assign who will read the prayers as well as the comments under the Silence, Song, Listening to Scripture, Reflection, Dwelling in God’s Love, and Invitation to Share sections. (Also, if you like to journal, get your journal out now and jot down thoughts and reflections as you go.)
Opening Prayer
Begin by praying this prayer:
“The joy of discovery
that moment
when hope and expectation
were gloriously met
by the illumination of one bright star.
We cannot imagine
what words were spoken by visitors
or if first impressions
left them somewhat confused.
Messiah, Savior, a King
born in the barest of palaces.
Yet they saw and fell down
on their knees in adoration.
Lord, they saw you and knew
whom they had met.
As we meet around crib
candle or advent wreath
draw us into that stable
in our imagination.
In the quiet moments of prayer
this Christmas, that brief oasis
from the bustle of the world
bring alive to us
the smell of the hay
the sound of the animals
the cry of a baby.
Draw us close to our Savior
Messiah and King as we bring
not Gold, Myrrh or Frankincense
but the gift of our lives
the only offering we can bring.”
Song of Praise
Begin your devotional time today by listening to “Unto Us”. Today’s song is not a typical Christmas song and is likely not a song that you have heard before, but it captures the essence of this season so perfectly. And as you will see, it clearly draws it inspiration from Handel’s Messiah. Listen/Read the words carefully and take this time to truly relax into God’s love for you. If it is helpful, listen to the song a few times so that you can savor all the words. (If you like to journal, you might want to write down the words that stand out to you. Otherwise, just listen/watch.)
Silence
Enter into a time of silence, reflecting on the following:
What words from this song stood out to you? Take a moment to reflect on all you have heard. Is there a particular word that God has for you today?
Listening to Scripture
Now, take some time to hear once again the story of our Savior’s birth.
You can also read the Scripture here.
Reflection and Practice
Surely one of my favorite memories of growing up involves waking up on Christmas morning, seeing all the presents under the Christmas tree and unwrapping them. While there was always a wide variety of gifts given to me - some fun, some practical, some creative, some yummy, etc., etc., the one thing I could always say about all the gifts under the tree was that they were tailored to me - to my interests and tastes and needs. My family knew me well, and as I unwrapped those presents, I felt profoundly known and loved. I am grateful.
And yet, as I reflect on these good memories, I am mindful that this experience of unwrapping these presents pales in comparison to unwrapping the greatest gift ever given on Christmas day, and that is Jesus. Thousands of years ago, the Son of God, the Eternal One, was given to us. He made his dwelling among us, taking on human flesh, being born as a vulnerable infant in a manger, and then living, dying, and being raised from the dead so we could live eternally with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No more magnificent gift has been ever given. No more profound act of love has even been seen.
And yet, each Christmas, and in fact each day of the year, we are given a choice as to whether we unwrap this gift or not. Will we accept this wonderful gift that God has given to us and then give our lives back to God as an act of love? Or will we live our lives like this profound event in history never happened or that this event is just not all that significant? Additionally, once we unwrap this gift, will we keep it to ourselves, hoarding it for our sakes only, or will we share it with others?
Friends, during this Christmastide, I invite you to unwrap this gift and to share it with others. Truly, this event that we celebrate in Christmastide is an amazing act of love for me, for you, and for all human beings in this world. When the world became a broken place where God’s people openly rebelled against him, God could have abandon this project. He didn’t need us.
And yet, instead of abandoning us, He did the opposite. He actually became one of us. And in taking on our flesh, Jesus’ divinity united with our humanity, His immortality swallowed up our mortality, and thus in doing so, He provided a way for us to be healed. At the same time, God also came to know intimately what it is like to be one of us, with all our joys, sorrows, limitations, and potential. So now, no matter what we may experience in life, we know that God understands.
And why did He do all this? Because He loves us so deeply and He desires to know us and to be known.
So friends, as you celebrate this season, wake up each day knowing that you are profoundly known and loved by God, and give back your lives to Him as an act of love. And then share His love with others, for if you truly believe in this miraculous event, where God became flesh, it is a story that must be shared with others so they have also a chance to unwrap this love, as well.
Silence and Dwelling in God’s Love
Spend some time in silence, pondering this miraculous event in history and reflecting on God’s profound love for you personally and for the whole world. Ponder any questions, thoughts, or invitations from the Lord you may have had as you read the reflection above and listened to the song and Scripture. Name specific ways God has shown his love for you, even in perhaps in some of the most difficult parts of your lives.
I also encourage you to spend a few minutes quietly resting in God’s presence . Quiet your hearts. Relax. Breathe in and out a few times. Close your eyes. Invite God, saying “Lord, Jesus come. Lord, Jesus come”. If you feel antsy, simply notice that and then give it over to the Lord. Really seek to dwell in God’s presence and love. If it helps you, perhaps visualize yourself sitting on your Heavenly Daddy’s lap, or sitting next to Jesus, or receiving a gift from God while sitting next to the Christmas tree. As you rest in is love, hear Him say to you again and again, “Child I love you. I gave myself on behalf of you. I am always with you. Rest in my love.” (If you would like, listen to the following, where I repeat these sentences three times.)
Invitation to Share This Gift
Now spend another moment in silence, this time asking the following questions of yourselves:
Have you shared this gift of God’s great love with others before?
If so, how?
If not, why? What has prevented you from sharing it? How might you share this gift in the future? (You need not have the full answer to this, but ask how the Lord may be inviting you to do so in the future.)
Now, take this to prayer.
When you finish your reflections and prayer, close by praying the following prayer and reflecting on the following song as an inspiration for you going out into the world to share the priceless gift that God has given us in Jesus.
“God of love,
open the hearts and minds of many this Christmastime
to the good and saving news of Jesus Christ,
that all whose lives are insecure, or empty, or aimless,
may find in the one born at Bethlehem all they need today and much more besides.
For his name’s sake, Amen.”
Closing Prayer
Pray these closing prayers:
“The greatest gift of all came that first Christmas. It wasn’t wrapped in a beautiful package and set under a decorated tree. The greatest gift came wrapped in the flesh of baby Jesus and laid in the rough wood of a manger. Our perfect gift would later be rewrapped in the scars of our sin and nailed to the rugged wood of a cross on Calvary, all because of love. ”
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.”