The BreadCast

(1Jn.2:22-28; Ps.98:1-4; Jn.1:19-28) "Remain in the Son and in the Father." In our gospel John the Baptist tells the priests and Levites sent by the Pharisees, "There is… one who is to come after me – the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten." This Messiah has come, "The Lord has made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice," David proclaims in our psalm, and continues to invite us to sing praise of Him. It is the anointing that comes from Jesus that John, in our first reading, encourages us to hold on to, for it is true and leads invariably to the Father of all. We must come to the Father; we must find ourselves in the presence of all truth, in the hands of our Creator, who loves us beyond all telling. And the way to the presence of the Father, in whom we find our true home, is Jesus the Christ. He is the Son and the only one who can lead us to the Father, for He and the Father are inextricably one. We cannot deny the Sonship of Jesus, His oneness with the Father – that He is the Christ, upon whom all true anointing rests – and come to know God. Jesus is the means the Father provides to come to Him; it is through Him alone we find the promise of eternal life. We must "remain in Him," that we may "not retreat in shame at His coming." Those who do not believe in Jesus, who do not recognize Him as the only Son and so only way to the Father, are not to be persecuted – but they are not to be believed. Jesus is all. Those who know Him know this; they indeed have His anointing in their hearts. This "anointing teaches [us] about all things and is true." It is this knowledge of His salvation, of His glory, which John instructs us to remember: His Word grows in our hearts. But again, this Word is not a weapon for the persecution and destruction of others – it is the means for the manifestation of light. Remain in Jesus, brothers and sisters, and eternal life with the Father will be assured you. ******* O LORD, help us always to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. YHWH, we must indeed acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, as your only Son, as God Himself, and rejoice that your saving power has come to us through Him. And His anointing will rest upon us, the Holy Spirit will be with us to guide us in all things – we will be one with you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John has prepared His way and in the sight of the nations His glory has been revealed. None can deny His divinity, except he be a liar. And to these we must not listen, LORD, but only to the teaching of your Church. For upon your apostles rests the anointing that is from above, and if we are to find our way to eternal life, no other voice should we heed. John has indeed cried out the way we all must follow if we are to meet your Son and so you, Father. O LORD, let us listen to the Spirit that is upon him.

O Blessed Virgin in whose womb was conceived the only Son of God, who by such grace has brought salvation to our race… What faith is yours in God the Father! What power is upon you by the Holy Spirit! What unutterable wonder we find in your Son! How is it one of our own number could give birth to our Creator? Such glorious union with the Godhead we could never merit nor discover except that the Lord has chosen you – pray this day He shall be born in us, too.

(Nm.6:22-27; Ps.67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal.4:4-7; Lk.2:16-21) "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them." The blessing of God, His holy Son, was upon the shepherds, and it is upon us all. For "God sent His Son, born of a woman" that His "way be known upon earth," "that we might receive adoption as sons." And what greater blessing could man know than to fulfill his call as son of the living God? We are blessed, brothers and sisters, and we should proclaim it as the shepherds. The blessing invoked upon the people by Aaron has been realized in the birth of the Son. Through Him "the Lord let[s] His face shine upon [us]" – this is His grace come. And how else but in haste should we travel to Him? How quickly we should arrive at His side. And how amazed all should be upon hearing the blessings we have known, at the hand of our God. Mary is she who is truly blessed, and we honor especially today she "who kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." For so obedient was she to God's will that He was "conceived in [her] womb" and made flesh in our sight. So, let us thank her today for the blessing she has brought into our midst. As we are now sons of the Father with the Spirit of the Son "crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" in our hearts, so we are sons of Mary, too, for the Lord's divinity cannot be separated from His humanity – the two meet as one in Jesus Christ. This is our great blessing. From "an infant lying in the manger" shall come the salvation of our race, and the Mother of this renewed race, consecrated to God in Him who is "named Jesus," we commemorate with our hearts and our voices in praise this holy day. May she now be the instrument by which "the Lord bless[es]" and "keep[s]" us; may she pray this day that "His face shine upon [us]." And may all her children be one in the blessing of Christ, her Son. Amen. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, what blessing is upon us this Christmas day! YHWH, we are your sons now because Jesus has become our Brother. Born of the Virgin, His blessing is now upon our race – He it is who shines the light of your face. Let us glorify you for your blessing. Now we may call you "Father!" now that the Spirit of your Son is with us. For in Him we are adopted as your sons, LORD, and so through Him you are our Father. Let the light of your face shine upon us all our days. It is you who rule all nations, LORD; all the earth is in your hands. Yet you come to us as a little child, poor and lying in a humble manger. Let us ponder this wonder with Mary; let us keep your will and your Word ever in our hearts, that we might see unfold the revelation of your presence among us. Too wonderful for us is the grace you bring, LORD; yet let us live as your sons, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

O eminent Shepherd of God's people who led us from the catacombs into the light of day by a blessed peace with the city of man, allowing the Lord's Church to grow and flourish freely in its sacraments, in its worship of the one true God – pray the Body of Christ may again prosper in truth with its divine Head, that the Light that has come into the world may be proclaimed to the ends of the earth and all souls called by the Lord come to the font of Baptism and find the fullness of faith in the holy Catholic Church. Pray there be no dissension in the Body but that all shall be one in Him who is God Himself.

(1Jn.2:18-21; Ps.96:1-2,11-13; Jn.1:1-18) "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." And we must dwell with Him, remaining in His light, walking in His way. "Through Him all things came into being," and we who have come into being by Him, "who believe in His name," must "become children of God." In our first reading, John warns against the antichrists who come in this "final hour" to lead astray all those not founded in truth. Elsewhere he warns against anyone who does not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, as the Christ come among us. Certainly there are more than a few antichrists today, looking to distract believers from "the Holy One." But as John says, "All knowledge is yours": if we believe in Jesus, we have the truth written within us. Yet we must beware of faltering, for "no lie has anything in common with the truth." Remain in His Church. Our psalm of David encourages us to "exult before the Lord," to "sing to the Lord; bless His name." And well we should this holy day to know of the Christ that has come "to rule the world with justice." The Word has become flesh and left His flesh and His Spirit with the Church He has founded on the apostles – great is the joy of those who find their home there. And in our gospel we hear John's beautiful and clear explication of the divinity of Jesus, the Word ever in God's presence from the beginning, the Word that is "God." There are pseudo-religious that change the evangelist's words to say that the Word was "a god"; such is the work of the antichrists spoken of by Paul. For only in the clear recognition of Jesus as "God the only Son," only in the unequivocal proclamation of His divinity – that He is God – is salvation found. For this is Truth, Truth brings light, and the light has no discourse with the darkness of lies. Come to Him who has come unto you, brothers and sisters. Seeing Him you see God and know God. And knowing God you "know the truth" and so exult in the joy of His presence in His Word, in His Sacraments, in His Church… in His love. Praised be the Lord and His dwelling among us. ******* O LORD, you have revealed yourself to us in the presence of your only Son – let us live in the truth that He is God. YHWH, thank you for the truth you have given us, the glory you have revealed through your only Son. Your Word has become flesh and so your very light shines now in our midst – may we embrace Him and His love. Though surrounded by the darkness of lies, we find our way to your truth, O LORD, by your Son and the Holy Spirit with whom we are anointed through Him. Now we know the truth and are gifted with all knowledge therefore – let us exult in the gift of life you provide. Whoever does not acknowledge your Son does not know you, Father, and does not have the Holy Spirit. Let us know well Him whom you have sent and bless His Name among ourselves. Praise and glory belong to Him alone for He alone reveals your glory. O let this light shine in the hearts of all men, of all who would rejoice in your presence.

(1Jn.2:12-17; Ps.96:7-11; Lk.2:36-40) "The world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God's will endures forever." Upon what is your eye fixed? Do you seek the Lord as has Anna these many years, "constantly in the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer," or are you seduced by "carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show." Indeed, "all these are from the world" (and what appropriate description of the extreme vanity which grasps the world in this day), and indeed are all passing away into the nothingness from which they spring. And those whose hearts are fixed upon them shall pass away with them, while he whose heart seeks the Lord passes to the eternal life of heaven. "Give to the Lord the glory due His name!" David exclaims in his psalm today, and, yes, much glory is due Him. "Through His Name [our] sins have been forgiven"; through Him we "have conquered the evil one." Do you know "Him who is from the beginning"? Does "the word of God [remain] in you"? Is it His love you have, or love for the world, wherein His love finds no place to dwell? "The Lord is King," brothers and sisters. He alone is worthy of our worship, worthy of our attention, worthy of our praise. Waste not your breath on the empty illusions of this passing world. Anna "gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem." Do you look forward to such deliverance? Do you care to hear of the glory of the Lord spoken of by this prophetess? Or have you better things to do? What sporting event, television program, or party takes precedence in your life? We live in a vain world, brothers and sisters. And that vanity permeates this modern society, presenting itself as an accepted good. It is not easy to conquer the hold such illusions cast upon our waiting eyes – only in Jesus will you find the strength to overcome these seductions. As "the child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God… upon Him," so will you learn to make progress as you "tremble before Him"; so will you grow in His will to eternal life, as you turn away from the carnality of this life. Keep your eyes upon His light, rising from the darkness. ******* O LORD, let our hearts be set on worship of you and your Son and not on the things of this world. YHWH, you are from the beginning; may your grace be upon us that we might conquer the evil one and endure with you forever. The world is indeed passing away – let us not pass with it. O LORD, help us to do your will each day and at every hour. Teach us to remain in your Temple always and so be joined to you. If we worship you constantly, you will come quickly to save us – you send your Son to deliver Jerusalem, to comfort all who look to you. How strong are the allurements of the world the devil presents to our weak flesh! How easily we give in to such distractions, LORD. Let it be your courts alone our hearts are set upon – help us to turn from darkness to your marvelous light. In you we are made firm, and in your Son. With Him let us grow, O LORD, that we might indeed be your children and remain ever with you. Praise to you, O living God! Let us heed the words of your prophets and apostles.

O blessed martyr who died in the cathedral, murdered by the king of this world as you defended the Chair of Peter and the true faith of the Church – where can we find bishops like yourself; how shall the Church be led without holy apostles willing to give their lives as Christ, in whose place they stand? Pray for us, devout shepherd, that many will be inspired by your example to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and defend the faith even unto the shedding of blood, for what is the shedding of blood in this world compared with the light of Heaven you now know in our Savior's presence? Pray for us and let us pray with you, seeking truth and love in our pilgrimage on this earth.

(1Jn.2:3-11; Ps.96:1-3,5-6,11; Lk.2:22-35) "The way we can be sure we are in union with Him is if one who claims to abide in Him conducts himself just as He did." "The darkness is over and the real light begins to shine," and we must live in that light. "My eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all peoples to see," declares Simeon in his prophecy over the Christ child. "In accord with the dictate in the law of the Lord," though He Himself is God, Mary and Joseph dutifully bring Jesus to the temple to be "consecrated to the Lord" as every first-born male must. And there the "just and pious" Simeon who so patiently "awaited the consolation of Israel," the coming of "the Anointed of the Lord," takes the child "in his arms" and blesses God for His gift, His mercy. Learn from these the attitude all must have. In their faithful observance of the commands of God and the inspiration of the Spirit, they fulfill His Word. And so light dawns for us and we know of its presence in our midst. Now we must continue to "announce His salvation, day after day tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds." Our deeds must mirror His deeds; His light, "a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of [His] people Israel," we must shine. The sign has come; the new commandment which has been of old must now be realized in each of us. As a sword has pierced the heart of the Blessed Mother, so it shall pierce the heart of everyone who unites himself to the Blessed Child, who follows in the steps of our blessed Lord. "The thoughts of many hearts [shall] be laid bare." There will be no hiding from this light that has come. If you think you can claim to know Him "without keeping His commandments," without conducting yourself "just as He did," you must know that your lie will be exposed. "The man who continues in the light is the one who loves his brother." Only this will save you, for only love is of light; hatred is only of darkness, and in the Lord there is no darkness. Let us join with Simeon in proclaiming His salvation. Let us join with David in singing of the "splendor and majesty" of the Lord. "Praise and grandeur are in His sanctuary." And let us do this principally with our very lives, becoming as the temple of God who is presented to us this day. ******* O LORD, let the light of your Son be revealed to our eyes, and in our actions. YHWH, your light be revealed in us this day as it was revealed in your Son to the eyes of Simeon. May Jesus live in us and we shine His glory forth, that your Word may indeed be fulfilled in all our lives. We are in darkness, LORD. As we keep not your Word, your Law, your command to love, we stray from right paths and become blind to your presence. If we do not live your presence, if we do not do your will, how can we claim to be of you? How can we say we are your disciples if we do not do the things your Son has done? Take us from the shadows, LORD, and reveal to our eyes the presence of Christ in our midst. Dispel all the dark of hatred and doubt and error by this unending light you shine upon us. And let us truly be transformed by the light of our Savior that we might announce His salvation every day of our lives until our last breath on this earth. Then let us live with you forever.

O three holy persons united as one in the humble home at Nazareth, Mary and Joseph with God's only Son… who became your Son, who became our Son, who became our Brother in all things human and shared with you the food of your table and the dust beneath your feet – you are our model upon this earth; you we should follow to find new birth in the Spirit, to find ourselves sons of the Father, to be as brother to Christ. O Holy Family, what a blessed trinity you form in the love of God and neighbor; pray we not fall short of your grace.

(Sir.3:2-6,12-14; Ps.128:1-5; Col.3:12-21; Mt.2:13-15,19-23) "Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body." A man is a man, a woman is a woman, and children are children – this does not change with time or culture. All are called to be one in the love and sacrifice of Christ; all are one holy family. Why do we find it necessary to make excuses for Holy Scripture and the "patriarchal family pattern" it reflects and "the subordinationist family ethic of the Biblical culture" (from the commentary of the missal from which I take today's readings)? How is it we have lost the beauty of Paul's words on the complementary nature of the conjugal relationship? How is it the family has become bereft of Christ? One would think Paul states, "Husbands, beat your wives," instead of "Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them," by the way his text is avoided like the plague. Why such ignorance of what is actually present in Scripture? And if the Scripture is perverted, why do we not "in all wisdom... teach and admonish one another," instead of casting the wisdom of the Lord from our presence, or rationalizing it away. Is it a sin for a wife to be submissive, to respect her husband; for children to be obedient toward their parents; for the husband and father to lay down his life for his family? Is power to be defined by the dictates of the world, or by the cross? Do we desire to control, or to love? "Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!" Here is the key to our roles, in the exclamation of our psalmist. "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him," Paul summarizes his teaching. Hear in his letter the call to "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another," even as the Lord has done with us. Be led by the Word of the Lord and His instruction and guidance. You, husbands, do you reflect Joseph's obedience to the Word of God brought by the angel? Do you care for your families as God calls? Are you mothers like Mary, moving according to the protective hand upon your hearth, your house? And children, do you honor your father and mother's authority over you as Jesus, who, though the Son of God, humbled Himself to be the child in this Holy Family? Let us all be as Christ – honoring, obeying, humbling ourselves… in a word, loving one another as He has loved us. Then we will be of the family of God. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Vision of Children" (2nd part) from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, call us out of Egypt to your holy land. YHWH, obedient let us be to you, and serve one another. It is your will that we love one another, that we act with humility and patience, always forgiving and living in peace. Indeed, let us reflect the life of the Holy Family. Was not Joseph obedient to your every word, dear LORD? Did he not have in his soul only to protect your Son and His Mother? Did he think of himself at all? O let all fathers lay down their lives in such a complete manner! And was not Mary obedient to Joseph (who was obedient to you)? Did she not recognize, O LORD, that your will was being accomplished through his instruction, through the inspiration upon his soul? Did she stop to question his actions? Did she think herself better qualified, being the Mother of God? O let all wives be so respectful of their husbands! And was Jesus not obedient in all things to Joseph and Mary, He who was Son of God and God Himself? Did He invoke His superiority over them? O God, let all children so honor their mother and father! Let all walk in your ways, in your way of sacrifice, and so be blessed as the Holy Family.

O beloved disciple of the Lord who saw Him and touched Him, who believed in Him with all your being, who loved Him so that no love but His surpassed your own – speak to us this day of the Word of life who has come among us, died for us, and been raised from the grave. Continue to proclaim that love which alone saves men from sin, which alone banishes death from our midst; let us share in your love for Jesus and join you in proclaiming Him who has come in the joy you knew so well. Point us to Him even this day, that we too might see and believe.

(1Jn.1:1-4; Ps.97:1-2,5-6,11-12; Jn.20:2-8) "He saw and believed." And "the eternal life that was present to the Father and became visible to us," which John now proclaims, is Jesus Christ the only Son of God, risen from the dead and present to us now even as He sits with the Father. John has seen Him. He has believed in Him. His "hands have touched" Him and so he "proclaim[s] the word of life" made so real in his midst. What else could he do but declare that which burns in his heart? What else could be the Evangelist's desire but to share the blessing he has known as "the one Jesus loved"? For brimming with love this apostle is, and only in writing of this joy, only proclaiming it to the world and seeing others enter into such selfsame blessing will make his joy complete. To this he has been called by the Lord. "Light dawns for the just," David declares, as if in his psalm to presage the coming of Christ and John's own words on the coming of Light to this earth. And indeed the just shall see Him, and gladness shall be "for the upright of heart." For all the just shall "be glad in the Lord… and give thanks to His holy name," for their souls drink deeply of the salvation in their midst; they know Him whom their hearts love. They see Him, and believe. And I note the special significance "the piece of cloth which had covered the head" of Jesus – which was "not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself," as John tells us in his gospel – seems to have as a catalyst to belief. John had seen the wrappings before entering the tomb, but not this cloth, and it is when he enters he sees and believes. It is as if the Lord left it neatly rolled up in a place by itself to indicate to them that He had not "been taken from the tomb" by robbers, as Mary Magdalene (another beloved of Christ) seems to fear. Why would a thief take time to do such a thing? And so, Jesus' touch is upon the cloth. "All peoples see His glory" now, brothers and sisters. By the witness of John and all the apostles, eyes are opened to His presence. Let us see Him with John; let us touch Him… and let us know His touch upon our hearts, and so continue to proclaim His glory. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by James Kurt. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, let us rejoice in the presence of your Christ with us this day. YHWH, let all men see your glory in the presence of your risen Son. Let all men come to that glory through faith in Him. Let us hear and believe what John tells us – that He has walked among us in the flesh, that the apostles' hands have touched Him… that our hearts might be touched by His presence, and so your own. With our eyes let us look upon your glory, LORD, we who are so blinded by sin and slow of heart to believe. Let us run to the tomb with your apostles that we may see your Son has been raised from the dead, that death no longer has dominion over us but with Him we have been raised. Let us rejoice at the light that dawns in our midst. You are king over all the earth, LORD, and all the heavens proclaim your justice and your truth. May we join in the choir of your angels and your holy apostles in declaring your glory to the ends of the earth, that all men might be loved by you as was John.

O first martyr, model of Christ's love and bearer of His Holy Spirit in wisdom and in truth, you who spoke as the Lord Himself and died as He died, with the forgiveness of your persecutors upon your lips and utter trust of the Father in your heart – pray that we too will find the grace and strength to commend our lives into the Father's hands, never holding bitterness toward those who destroy the body, who would chain the Word, but ever loving every soul even as you have done. O let our hearts be set on Jesus! let them bleed as His own, that united in Heaven with Him we shall be with you in the glory of God.

(Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Ps.31:3-4,6-8,17,21; Mt.10:17-22) "They proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke." The world cannot stand up to the Word of God; even death has no power over those who trust themselves to His Spirit. A model of faith is Stephen. A perfect trust in the Lord made this martyr shine before the persecution of men. He made the Lord his "rock of refuge" and so the Lord did "lead and guide" him even unto heaven, hidden in "the shelter of [His] promise from the plottings of men." It is this trust Jesus speaks of in our gospel when He warns His apostles beforehand of the persecution which awaits them. He tells them that when they are dragged before rulers to "give witness… on [His] account": "Do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it… the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." And it is this trust, even unto death, that Stephen exemplifies so perfectly. David echoes Jesus' words on the cross in our psalm: "Into your hands I commend my spirit," and Stephen lives them in our first reading. While being stoned to death he prays, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (and proceeds to forgive those who kill him). And so this feast of our first martyr follows our celebration of the birth of our Lord, for it is in this world we are handed over to death, and it is in this world we must suffer in love. Entirely we must trust ourselves to the care of God to find the vision of heaven – "I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand" – which becomes Stephen's own. The words we speak, if they are blessed by God, will bring us inevitably unto heaven. If it is the Spirit who works in us, what need we fear? For what is more powerful than He? Where is greater truth to be found? And so, to whom else should we turn? "Whoever holds out till the end will escape death," brothers and sisters. Though "hated by all" for our love of Jesus, if we continue ever to love even those who hate us, His Spirit will lift us unto Him and provide all we need, in words and works, to conquer the evil of this world. May the sweet blood of Jesus cover all His children and bless their witness to Him. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, by your power we escape death and find your glory. YHWH, let us take refuge in you, in your Son, and in the Spirit, and we shall never die but be raised to life in glory with you forevermore. May your Spirit speak through us and we lay down our lives with your Son. A crown awaits those who love as you love, dear LORD, who follow in the way your Son has marked out for us. If we speak your truth, if we trust in you and do your will, you will protect us even from death – you will save us from the plotting of men, and we will stand at your right hand even as the stones rain down upon our heads. St. Stephen, pray for us this day that we will be led by the Spirit of God and be unafraid of speaking before the rulers and kings of this world. May our blood be joined with your own and so we, too, be one with our Savior.

(Is.52:7-10; Ps.98:1-6; Heb.1:1-6; Jn.1:1-18) "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you." The coming of the One prophesied by Isaiah and hailed by John these many days is fulfilled in our midst at this blessed moment in time. And so in our dark world, the light that is God now shines. "Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion." To "all the ends of the earth" He makes "His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice." For the Lord God walks among us now as man; He "who is the refulgence of His glory, the very imprint of His being," is now revealed, is now made flesh; "full of grace and truth," He appears in our midst. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." And He through whom "all things came to be," who brought life, "the light of the human race," now shines – and now we come to know Him; now we hear the Word spoken to our ears… now we can say, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Word no longer hidden, God no longer speaks "in partial and various ways," but now "through the Son" the fullness of truth, the blessing of peace, is upon us. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him," for He comes "announcing peace… announcing salvation." No longer need we wander in darkness, wondering, Where is our God? He is here. He is Jesus. He washes all darkness from our minds, He accomplishes "purification from sins," and He sits "at the right hand of the Majesty on high," giving power to be like Him, "to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, "who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God." Come, see and know the transcendent glory standing in our midst. And so, what have we to do but rejoice? Though "no one has ever seen God," though He has seemed to us beyond understanding, yet "the only Son… has revealed Him." So let us "sing joyfully before the King, the Lord" "with the harp and melodious song." Let us "break into song" and "sing praise." For He whom "all the angels of God worship" has come for our salvation, and our Christmas should only be merry. God be with you, brothers and sisters. Jesus love you. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Baby Being Born" from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, your glory is revealed to us this day, and so let us offer you due praise. YHWH, your Son is born in our midst and so reveals your glory to us. His light now shines in this dark world, and so men are saved from their sins. O let us worship Him who is the very imprint of your Being! who is one with you. You are with us this day in your Son, and what should we do but rejoice. Glory to you, LORD and GOD, for now the feet of Jesus walk among us and peace is proclaimed to the ends of the earth; salvation is ours by the grace and truth He brings to this land. Let all eyes behold the salvation He has wrought in our midst. Let all souls break out in song in praise of His glory. It is our joy to worship you, O LORD, and the only Son whom you have sent. For you are our life; in you we are born – by you all Creation comes to be. And now you are with us in the flesh of your Son; now your dwelling is among us. To us this day please bring your peace.

(Is.9:1-6; Ps.96:1-3,11-13; Ti.2:11-14; Lk.2:1-14) "Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." Here is the "infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger"; here is He who saves all from sin, born into our humble humanity. Yes, "a child is born to us, a son is given us," and "upon His shoulder dominion rests." This little one wrapped in our own flesh is indeed named "Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful," for He rules all the earth with His loving justice. And so what should we do but "announce His salvation, day after day"? What can we who are overwhelmed with the joy of His presence in our midst do but "tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds." For He has come for all nations and all people, to live in their hearts this day. "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice"; and let all mankind join the angels in their song of praise: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." The Lord has come "to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people as His own," to bring His surpassing peace to all souls set on His goodness and His glory. So, let us be "eager to do what is good," that we might be as He is, that we might share in His eternal peace. To Bethlehem the Virgin came at the time of the census. There "the time came for her to have her child," He who is our Bread of Life. For He is enrolled among our number now; God has been made man – and nothing could give life to waiting souls like this miracle of new birth in our midst. And so, let us know the humble shepherd's awe; let us hear the word the angel brings, for he "proclaim[s] to [us] good news of great joy that will be for all people." Jesus our Savior is with us today. Written & chanted by James Kurt; read by Sylvia Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, your glory is revealed to us this day, and so let us offer you due praise. YHWH, your Son is born in our midst and so reveals your glory to us. His light now shines in this dark world, and so men are saved from their sins. O let us worship Him who is the very imprint of your Being! who is one with you. You are with us this day in your Son, and what should we do but rejoice. Glory to you, LORD and GOD, for now the feet of Jesus walk among us and peace is proclaimed to the ends of the earth; salvation is ours by the grace and truth He brings to this land. Let all eyes behold the salvation He has wrought in our midst. Let all souls break out in song in praise of His glory. It is our joy to worship you, O LORD, and the only Son whom you have sent. For you are our life; in you we are born – by you all Creation comes to be. And now you are with us in the flesh of your Son; now your dwelling is among us. To us this day please bring your peace.

(2Sm.7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Ps.89:2-5,27,29; Lk.1:67-79) "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever." The Lord builds a house for us; He is that House. "Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations," the Lord promises David, and accomplishes His word by Himself entering the line of the king. Thus "He has visited and ransomed His people. He has raised a horn of saving strength for us in the house of David His servant" in the Person of Jesus the Christ. And so we shall find "freedom from [our] sins" and "the kindness of our God" shall remain upon us. "To guide our feet into the way of peace," Jesus has come. To bring "salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all our foes," He stands among us. Zechariah's joy at the birth of John, his son, is really the joy in the coming one, for whom John but "prepare[s] straight paths." The Spirit inspires this old priest to sing primarily of the fulfillment of the promise long held by his people, the promise of Abraham, the promise of David – the promise of finding fulfillment as God's chosen ones, held in His hand, in His temple, in His house, and protected from all harm while worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. This Jesus accomplishes. And so, "we should serve Him devoutly, and through all our days, be holy in His sight," for no greater gift have we than this opportunity for holiness in the one true Son of God and in the House He establishes. Should not the Church be our home? Has not the Lord provided for the building of its walls? Has He not provided His own flesh and blood to be spread upon its altar? Has He not "fix[ed] a place for [His] people Israel… that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance"? Has He not said, "My kindness is established forever," and "in heaven… confirmed [His] faithfulness"? And should we not enter His house, enter His heaven, and praise His holy Name? Here we stand, with His Word, with His Body and Blood. Here we have His teaching and His food. What more need we? And this day the Child who is the House of God approaches. Are we ready now for His coming? ******* O LORD, guide our feet in the way of peace; fulfill your promise and make us your sons. YHWH, we sit in darkness waiting for the coming of your Son; open our eyes to see His light and our mouths to sing of His glory. Let us enter into His way of peace. Deliver us from the enemy, O LORD, from the sin upon our souls. How shall we be made free of our sins, LORD, except that you come to us and fulfill your Covenant with us, that you shall be our Father and we your children? And how shall you accomplish this except by the birth of your Son in our midst? We would have remained ever blind and dumb had Jesus not come to open our eyes and loose our tongues, had you not had such mercy on our souls. A House you established for David, a place we all may dwell. And the birth of this House is upon us now. May we enter in and serve Him, LORD, that with Him we might stand firm forever.

O holy teacher of the faith and pastor of Christ's flock who instructed with wisdom and led by kindness and humility those in your care and all those around you – teach us today not only to know our faith but to practice it by holiness of life as you have done, so simply, so thoroughly as a child of the Lord. Pray for us and pray for our priests, for whom you are a model of perfection. All yourself you have given in imitation of Jesus; may the Lord God be in our hearts and on our lips just so truly as He has been with you, good teacher.

(Mal.3:1-4,23-24; Ps.25:4-5,8-10,14,Lk.21:28; Lk.1:57-66) "His name is John." Yes, "the hand of the Lord [was] upon him," whose name signifies the grace of God, who comes at the end of the age to turn men's hearts back to God, who prepares the way we must walk to find the instruction and purgation of the Lord. We must be purified by "the refiner's fire." We must be purged of all dross "like gold or like silver that [we] may offer due sacrifice to the Lord," that we might be called children of the One God. The Day is coming; the Lord is returning to the temple, and we must be prepared to welcome Him – and so John is born, sent in the spirit of Elijah the prophet to cry out the way in the wilderness of this world. By the Spirit of the Lord, he "shows sinners the way; he guides the humble to justice," leading them to the Son who stands ready in Truth to teach and to save. Well do the people do to wonder at the birth of this holy child, for well will they do to follow his exhortation, and come to praise of the living God. This John leads us to something new, as even the originality of his name among his relatives signifies; he assists us in making the turn, the conversion to the New Covenant in the blood of Christ. From the Old and as a prophet of old, he leads us to the dawn of new light in this world. Jesus he comes to proclaim. Without this grace of God to be washed in the river of our sins, how could we stand on "the great and terrible day" of the Lord's coming? How could we bear His light, His fire? "All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep His covenant and His decrees." Praise God we have the instruction of the Lord with us now to guide us to life everlasting; and thank God we have been made ready by "the messenger of the covenant" to stand in the light of that wisdom. The Lord teaches us now, brothers and sisters; the Lord is with us to instruct us in His way and, "like the fuller's lye," to make us white. Let us not make the grace of forgiveness John has wrought by the hand of God among us come to naught – let us listen closely now to the Word of God to which his voice has led us. P.S. Re the Bible, the Word of God – a quote by St. Hippolytus from today's Office: "Sacred Scripture is God's gift to us and it should be understood in the way He intends: we should not do violence to it by interpreting it according to our own preconceived ideas." ******* O LORD, you brought John to birth to prepare the way of your only Son – let us walk that path to you. YHWH, your hand was upon John for our good, to prepare the way for your Son, that we might be prepared to receive the glory of His presence among us. This day may our hearts be ready for His coming. Sinners you show the way, O LORD; you mark out the path we all should tread if we wish to be cleansed of all evil and turn our hearts to you. You are our Father, and all we should desire is to love you – O LORD, lead us in the way to you. Your Son is the way, dear LORD. It is by Him on His terrible Day that we are purged of all dross in the fire of the Holy Spirit and so made pure to stand before you. O holy God, let us be refined like silver or gold that we might shine so brightly in your presence. By your grace only is this accomplished; let all be made new by your hands.

(1Sm.1:24-28; 1Sm.2:1,4-8; Lk.1:46-56) "His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him." The Magnificat of Mary mirrors but, if I may say, far surpasses the Canticle of Hannah in beauty, in wonder, in grace… even as the perfection of the Son she bears far exceeds the blessing of the prophet Samuel. As Jesus brings to fulfillment the greatness of all who came before Him, so Mary's song expresses that perfection in the light of the same divine mercy. Mercy indeed is infused in each line she utters under the power of the Spirit. Mercy and truth, a love completely open to the blessings of God is hers and is revealed in the words which fall like cleansing rain from her immaculate lips. She is blessed, she knows, and she shall be called blessed; for the truth, the Word of God, cannot be hidden, must be raised to meet the eyes and ears of all who seek His grace. For "the hungry He [gives] every good thing," and the lowly He raises "to high places." She is "His servant in her lowliness" and the joy of such blessing she cannot help but proclaim with all her being. Hannah brings the child she has conceived in answer to her prayer, through the intercession of Eli – by the grace of God – and dedicates him to the Lord, leaving him at the temple. She, too, "exults in the Lord" for the fact that, in the Lord's will, "the barren wife bears seven sons"; for she who was thought sterile has borne the great man of God, Samuel. Mary, in her grateful appreciation for the blessing upon her, will not need to leave her child at the temple, for He has been conceived entirely of the Holy Spirit and is Himself the Temple of the Lord, wholly dedicated to the will of the Father from before the inception of time. As the ancient Israelites found the direction and guidance of God through the ministry of Samuel, as by him they were led to serve the Lord their God, so now in this the end of the age we have Jesus, the perfect light of guidance through the grace and mercy of God, to lead us to the total service of the Lord that Mary embodies so well. God is "mighty," brothers and sisters; "holy is His name." Let us rejoice in Him who "has upheld Israel His servant, ever mindful of His mercy," and let us make that same blessed mercy the leaven that lifts us unto heaven. To Him let us sing our song of praise. ******* O LORD, Mary you have blessed with your very presence, and so she has become the Temple in which you dwell – may we all become as your Temple. YHWH, to the humble you show your mercy; you raise them up to dwell with you. Our Mother Mary is the humblest of our race, and so she is at your side forever in Heaven. O may we be blessed as she! Hannah, too, you blessed, O LORD, she who had borne no children. Samuel, the man of God, you gave to her, for she had promised to give him to you. But the Son of Mary who could give to you, for He is with you always? Let us be with Him this very day, that we might remain in your Temple. O LORD, the proud and the mighty you tear down that they might know they are of the earth. But the meek and humble you raise to high places, even to your presence. Let us leave behind all the riches of this world; help us to escape the trap they are to us, the death they spell to our souls, that with the lowly we might dwell, in your eternal kingdom. O let your servants live!