Advent 2013 Society of Saint Andrews – Wednesday, 25 December 2013 “A Benediction for Christmas Day” - Read: Luke 2: The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Footnotes:

a. Luke 2:11 Or the Christ

b. Luke 2:13 Gk army

c. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

The child is born! Alleluia! Our God has come among us! Let the whole earth rejoice! Let us leave the manger and return to our daily routines, knowing that we have seen the Lord, and glorifying and praising God for all that we have heard and seen. Alleluia! Our God is now here!

Go forth, with full confidence and joy that you have seen the Messiah.

Alleluia! Our God is now here!

Go forth to spread the Good News wherever you go, sharing God’s love and promise with all whom you meet. Go into the world to find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry, release the prisoner, rebuild the nations, bring peace among people, and make music in every heart.

Alleluia! Our God is now here!

In the name of our God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, we cry out with the angels in the heavens and the shepherds in the fields: Alleluia!

Our God is now here! Amen.

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Society of Saint Andrews

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Big Island, Virginia 24526 United States

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