– Rev. Chris Brady, Capital District Superintendent
“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out true from start to finish.”
John 1:14 MSG Translation
“For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all.”
John 2:11 NRSV
Our faith reminds us that from the beginning of time, the Word brings life out of death, light out of darkness, hope from hopelessness, redemptions for those cast aside, and healing from those who experience hurt in all its forms and human machinations.
I have needed Christmas more this year than ever before. The witness and experiences of individual, communal, national, and international human relations have contorted the arc of good and seemingly inverted capacity to see other’s humanity through God’s eyes, so my spirit is vexed. And when I feel like throwing my hands up in despair, the Holy Spirit reignites the flame of my soul, and the love of God once again overwhelms me with the promise of hope in this journey to be the light I am called to be.
This invisible reality keeps drawing me in and cultivates my holy imagination as I sing lustily on a “silent night, a holy night… Christ the Savior is born.” See, the story that I have made my own tells me that born into a needy, dangerous, bitter, and cynical world, is One who became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. This one named Jesus, the very grace of God, appears to offer salvation, healing, and wholeness for all.
In her poem “Love Came Down at Christmas,” Christina Rossetti tells us:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
Star and angel gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
Worship we our Jesus,
But where-with for sacred sign?
The Answer to her question:
Love Shall be our token;
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
To the faithful laity and clergy of the Capital District of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, hope-filled New Year!