During the season of Advent, I have been doing something new on the blog. I have tried to offer a daily reflection here as we journey through this season together. To help frame the devotions I have been using hashtags designed by a group with the Episcopalian church. For example, the hashtag assigned for today is #Birth. This series of daily posts will conclude on Christmas Day.

The second chapter of the Gospel of Luke begins:

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

As we have journeyed through Advent, we pondered great questions, shared and reflected on deep wonderings. There will be plenty more time for this in worship later today, tonight and tomorrow. But instead of pondering today, I simply want to share this candlelight prayer meant for Christmas Eve night in the hope that the true light may shine in your life, and may illuminate more of those questions you have as well as what God might be leading you and calling you to do and respond to.

Let us pray. Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light.  Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through Your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

p.s.- If you find yourselves in Minnesota and without a faith community to gather with this Christmas Season, I warmly invite you here to join us. Christmas Eve services will be at 4pm and 10pm this evening, and Christmas Day worship will be at 10am. Each service is unique in it’s own special way.

Image Credit: Nativity