{"id":4916,"date":"2009-12-25T05:51:52","date_gmt":"2009-12-25T05:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/jesuscreed\/2009\/12\/christmas-day.html"},"modified":"2009-12-25T05:51:52","modified_gmt":"2009-12-25T05:51:52","slug":"christmas-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/jesuscreed\/2009\/12\/christmas-day.html","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AdventE.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

We Celebrate the Birth of Christ<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the season of Advent we have used the Advent wreath and its candles to help us get ready for this great celebration of the birth of Christ.<\/p>\n

When we lit the first purple candle, we asked God to come and be our Good Shepherd.  God our Shepherd has come in Jesus Christ!<\/p>\n

When we lit the second purple candle, we asked God to come and forgive our sins.  God has come in Jesus Christ to take our sins and die upon the cross so that we might be forgiven!<\/p>\n

When we lit the third, pink candle, we felt joyful even in our longing for Christ to come.  Christ, who has been born in a manger, will come again in glory to wipe away every tear from our eyes!<\/p>\n

When we lit the fourth candle, we remembered that Christ would come as a son — the son of Mary, the Son of David, and the Son of God!  This Son has been born!  He is Immanuel — God with us!<\/p>\n

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus who forgives our sins, Jesus who will come again, Jesus the son of Mary, the Son of David, and the very Son of God!<\/p>\n

Prayer for God’s Help<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear God, as we light the center candle today, may we celebrate with full joy the birth of your Son, Jesus the Christ.  Amen!<\/p>\n

<\/a>Scripture Readings<\/strong><\/p>\n

Micah 5:1-5<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

God promises through the prophet Micah that his future rule will come from Bethlehem, even though this town is, indeed, a “little town” and quite insignificant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Luke 2:1-20<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Jesus the Messiah is born in Bethlehem!<\/p>\n

\n

Psalm 145<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Let us join the psalmist in offering praise to God for his mighty works!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lighting of the Candle<\/strong><\/p>\n

[As someone lights the center, white candle, the following should be read or paraphrased.]<\/p>\n

\n

We light this candle with great joy and celebration, because Christ is born in Bethlehem.  God’s Son has come into the world to be our Savior! <\/p>\n

Prayer of Hope<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear God, as we light this candle, we rejoice in the birth of your Son.  May we worship him, welcome him, and make room for him in our hearts.  O come, let us adore him!  Amen!<\/p>\n

Closing Song<\/strong><\/p>\n

O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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