“For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NRSV
He shall be named ‘wonderful.’ This Christmas scripture always causes me pause at the first name Isaiah assigns to the Christ child – wonderful. The story of Christmas past and present must always cause us to pause on the wonder of the birth of Christ, the wonder of God’s love for humanity, and the wonder of the message of Christmas.
On that holy night when Christ was born, his parents were turned away at every inn and home where they sought refuge and respite for the mother and the new born child. The only place available was in a barn intended for use by farm animals. Is it not humbling and ironic that the child born to bring peace and salvation to the world spent his first moments in a barn? We thank God today for that manger and that barn, because it gave the baby Jesus shelter and it gave kings and shepherds a sanctuary to worship the living God. It was there in that manager that the wonder of Christ light shone into the darkness of the world illuminating God’s unfathomable love, joy, hope and peace!
That manager may not have been perfect, but it was more than enough. Then and now, there was enough compassion and love for all of God’s children to be safe and sound. This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ, the light that shines in the darkness of a dingy barn, may we also remember the Christ light that shines brightly in our hearts and our spirits.
Let us embrace the fullness of the wonder of the birth of Christ on this Christmas and every day. May God give us the conviction and courage to demand the fullness of humanity for each of God’s beloved children. I pray for you and your families that this act of God reconciling the world to God’s self and to each other will be present with you this Christmas and always.
This is the power of reconciliation.
In light of our differences, our differing circumstance by birth or geography, our world needs the light of Christ. As well, we continue to need this ministry of Reconciliation. The work of reconciliation began in a barn in Bethlehem and needs your hands and hearts to make room for each other and to affirm the dignity of all of God’s children. As this year comes to a close, I want to encourage you to make a love gift to Reconciliation Ministry that we might continue the work of connectedness, equity, and justice.
Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Rev. April G. Johnson
Minister of Reconciliation
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