The Christmas Eve window hid a picture of the baby Jesus with his arms stretched out to embrace the world -- a poignant reminder that ultimately this is a story of love, God's love, and our response to that love in the world. A different way of being is born into the world, a way of justice through divine love, and a transformative way of life that will be revealed to us by this small one in the cradle.
As the Victorian poet Christina Rossetti wrote:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
Merry Christmas.
Diana Butler Bass (www.dianabutlerbass.com) wanted to open her Advent calendar in community this year, and she is sharing her daily reflections with Sojourners readers online. She is the author of the forthcoming A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story
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