Friday, December 26

Friday, December 26
Christmas Weekday

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.

“Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!” But does he? What signs do we have of his kingdom? If we celebrate the coming of our Savior at Christmas, why doesn’t today look different from last Thursday?

As our Advent longing becomes Christmas joy, we continue tending the interior space where friendship with Jesus takes root. This is the first place we encounter God’s kingdom and where Jesus’s life takes shape in us. This doesn’t mean that changing the world stage is beyond our abilities, only that it comes as a fruit of the life of Christ within us. This divine life overflows in our service and advocacy for justice and peace, as it did for St. Stephen whose feast marks this day. But our task for today is to repeat the joy sounding through creation at the coming of our Savior.

Prayer for Morning
Mighty One, you sent your Son as our Savior. I join with all of your people as we use both music and attentive stillness to sing your praise. God of creation, let your joy resound in me.

Ponder Today
How can I let the Savior reign in me today? How might that lead me to joy?

Prayer for Evening
Mighty One, your Son comes to draw all of creation to you. Give me ears to hear the sounding joy of this eternal destiny. God of creation, let me repeat for others your self-giving love.