December 25 - Child

December 25 - #AdventWord #Child
The prophet Isaiah and Handel the composer reach across the ages to teach us to sing out the Good News: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”

From the Prologue of John’s Gospel, we know “the Word (Logos) became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

Luke the physician tells us of angels singing the wonderful news of a child born to Mary: “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Phillips Brooks has us sing with countless others around the world the joyful news. The waiting has ended:
          O holy Child of Bethlehem,
          descend to us, we pray;
          cast out our sin, and enter in,
          be born in us today.
          ​We hear the Christmas angels
          the great glad tidings tell;
          ​O come to us, abide with us,
          our Lord Emmanuel!

— The Rev. Donald Fishburne worships at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Church on Pawleys Island. He is a coach and consultant to clergy and churches.