“Now the birth of
Jesus the Messiah took place in this way…”
Matthew 1:18
Many generations after God promised a
Messiah, a young girl named Mary conceived a child by the
Holy Spirit. Joseph, the young man to whom she was
betrothed, was told by an angel that the child she would
bear was God’s Son, Jesus.
God’s power and blessing worked
through common lives to bring forth Jesus the Messiah.
Joseph and Mary, ordinary young adults nurtured by the
generations before them, were open to God’s extraordinary
activity in their lives. They were common people whose
willing hearts and courage powerfully proclaimed the Good
News of the one who would save his people from their sins.
Countless generations later, you and I
are called to proclaim the Good News of Emmanuel, “God
with us.” Our neighborhoods, our communities, and our
world are filled with those who long to know Jesus’ love
and saving presence in their lives. God uses us in all our
ordinariness and sinfulness to bring forth the promise and
light of Christ’s love and salvation.
This Christmas, may the Holy Spirit
give you faith, courage, and a willing heart as you take
part in God’s ongoing miracle. May you know the joy and
awe that comes from bearing Christ’s creative and
redeeming love to the world.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
ELCA Presiding Bishop
