God of grace, by your tender mercy
the dawn from on high breaks upon us.
Your son, giving light to all sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death!
Your child, guiding our feet into the way of peace!
Your son Jesus, a baby, Christ the Lord!
Together, in our minds’ eye, we picture
that first night in Bethlehem.
The lamplight, the small cries,
the baby cradled by its parents,
outside the high dark night.
May the voice of angels so fill our hearts this evening [today]
that we go from here,
singing their song of praise to you. Gloria!
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.