Manger Song

When we find our wells of Peace running dry
The world, within and without, misaligned
Into despair, the Incarnate Child
Brings his Hope and his Way

God-With-Us looks fragile and small
We wonder what Power he brings at all
What Way could really combat our fall?
What Hope is stronger than death?

Yet angels sing and the star shines on
Our Christ-Child lies, wrapped tight and warm,
The Divine embracing our fleshly form!
And all he can touch is made right

His work on the cross washed my robes to white
But His work in the manger made possible Life
Which touches the darkness to usher in Light
May your Hope live in me through your Way

Today marks the fourth Sunday of Advent, a time when we remember how the Light of the World came and touched the darkness of the world. He lived in the darkness with us so we could see his Light more clearly.

As a child, Jesus grew up in the darkness of poverty and oppression. As a man, he taught in the darkness of injustice and surrendered his life on the cross, descending into the darkness of death. All of this to bring his Light near to our poverty, to the places that harbor injustice, and into death itself. Oh, how his Light shines!

The incarnation of Jesus casts the salvation of Jesus in a different light as well. Because of Christmas, salvation is more than being whisked away to safety in a far-away heaven; heaven comes down to meet us. Because of Christmas, salvation is more than good news for individuals; our salvation is multiplicative, pointing to the Light of the World by sending little lights out into the darkness. Because of Christmas, salvation is more than an event from long ago; our salvation is something we live out and grow into until our Lord comes back to us again.

Merry Christmas, for God is with us!

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. – John 1:10-14

©2018 Jacqueline Tisthammer. All rights reserved.