This time of year, we just quietly honor the coming of Jesus of Nazareth into the world. Many of us just appreciate a chance to do that, because our regular churches are just not quiet on Christmas Eve.
Yes, we know Jesus came into the world the usual way, out of someone's womb, and with human parents who went to great effort to keep him safe. And we honor those parents. And we also honor Jesus himself, for doing more than just following in his human parents' footsteps.
If you want to read our Frequently Asked Questions tonight, here they are. But feel free to just sing some Christmas carols instead.
Hi. I'm Scott, and I maintain this website. Here's my favorite carol.
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, And ever over its Babel sounds the blessèd angels sing. And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, When with the ever circling years comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
I have to admit, I admire a Christmas carol which admits that heaven may be filled with fearsome winged beings who can slice the sky apart and impose peace upon the earth if they really want to. And these mighty beings all bow down... before one particularly humble human.
Peace on Earth!