Worshiping…In Spirit and In Truth

Christmas Eve

• First reading
  • Isaiah 9:2-7
• Psalm
  • Psalm 96
• Second reading
  • Titus 2:11-14
• Gospel
  • Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Titus 2:11-14 | New International Version (NIV)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,eager to do what is good.

I love this passage – especially as it relates to the incarnation – the fact that Jesus came in the flesh – that he really was human – he was and is fully divine – but he was fully human.  To deny that is to deny the incarnation.  But notice why he came.  Christ came for our salvation. I came across this quote yesterday.

“The deepest of deep truths about Christmas–without which Christmas is just a lovely social custom–is that Mary’s baby is God…..if that is true, with him all things are possible.”

Richard John Neuhaus

This is why he came.