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| The blessed Nativity at the Underwood's house |
Praise the angel Gabriel for his glad tidings to Zacharias in the Temple of the Lord. Praise the witnesses who perceived a vision upon the old priest’s face, his tongue held mute with disbelief.
Praise Elisabeth’s withered womb quickened by the Holy Ghost to conceive and bear a son named John who would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.
Praise Gabriel’s message to the virgin, Mary. Praise her submission to God’s word. Praise the babe who leapt within Elisabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s salutation.
Praise the innkeeper who gave Mary’s baby sleep in a manger. Praise the shepherds abiding in the field, and the angel who said Fear not.
Praise the multitude of heavenly hosts who sang, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Praise the Star of Bethlehem that led the wise men to the Christ child.
Praise the Gospel of Luke, a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us. Praise the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
Praise Martin Luther for lighting his Christmas tree with candles. Praise Johann Sebastian Bach for his Christmas Oratorio, and George Frideric Handel for The Messiah.
Praise community choirs for singing Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him. Praise stringed and wind instruments, the pipe organ, and Christmas Eve midnight mass.
Praise The Salvation Army’s brass bands and red kettles that span from San Francisco to Boston. Praise the hands that feed the needy Christmas dinner.
Praise Charles Dickens for Ebenezer Scrooge and Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Praise Frank Capra for George Bailey and Clarence Oddbody.
Praise perennial church bells and family tables calling us to communion. Praise children dressed as the Christmas cast, wooly sheep bleating and donkeys braying on stage.
Praise the blessed nativity, God with us, always. Praise the Light Who comes to us when we sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
