Today is Wednesday the 25th of December, Christmas Day. The team at Pray As You Go would like to wish you a very happy Christmas! The University of Johannesburg Choir sings, ‘My Lord Has Come’, by Will Todd. You might like to make these words your own as you begin to celebrate this Christmas Day. Shepherds, called by angels, called by love and angels: No place for them but a stable. My Lord has come. Sages, searching for stars, searching for love in heaven; No place for them but a stable. My Lord has come. His love will hold me, his love will cherish me, love will cradle me. Lead me, lead me to see him, sages and shepherds and angels; No place for me but a stable. My Lord has come. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 2:1-14 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ On this Christmas day we rejoice with the angels and shepherds at the birth of Jesus. He is God-with-us. How do you feel God is with you and with our world today? The angels proclaim glory to God. What does God’s glory feel like to you? Take some time to sense God’s glory around you and within you on this day of rejoicing. As the reading is repeated, we are with Mary and Joseph in their vulnerability and their amazement. Jesus is born as the God of surprises. What would you like God to surprise you with this Christmas? The shepherds heard God’s message as they were keeping watch. What is alerting you to God’s living presence at this time? Take time to speak to God about this in any way that draws you. As we end today’s reflection, Eliza King sings, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above! Glory to God, glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! We'll praise his name forever, Christ, the Lord Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12