Merry Christmas!

Ah, the sweetest of seasons is upon us - the season of gift giving and receiving; the time of remembering all the goodness that is in us and those around us; the moment when so many of us take a breath and realize that there is goodness in us and in those around us. We are entering the sweet season of sensing and knowing that God's love is for us and that God loves us as His children. It is a love that is unearned. It is a love that touches our lives in some tangible ways, especially when we don't deserve it. It is a love that knows no ending and however far away from God we may find ourselves, His love is there. God is waiting for us to open a way so that He can come in and make a home in our hearts and raise us up to become our best selves.

That's the grace that appeared that first Christmas - God's love for all. No one quite knew it at the time, though Mary and Joseph and the shepherds had some idea. The fullness of God's grace wasn't revealed until we heard the words of life coming from His mouth, the healing touch that restored, and the dying and rising that renewed the creation. And we know that grace ourselves, today. We know, or are beginning to know a grace, a love that is so deep and powerful that it can literally change our lives.

My hope and prayer for all of us this Christmas is that we remember the gift that is open to you and me and to everyone.

Now may God grant you the gift of the light of Christmas, which is faith;

the gift of the belief of Christmas, which is hope;

the gift of the warmth of Christmas, which is love;

the gift of the radiance of Christmas, which is truth;

the gift of the joy of Christmas, which is God.