The news that the Word is made flesh
comes to us on the pages of our holy book.
Tens of thousands of Bibles opened around the world this night
and the good news read out in basilicas and barrios,
in chapels, churches and television broadcast studios.
In every language of the world the good news rings out,
“And it came to pass in those days.”
Thank you God for the gift of scripture,
telling us of those first witnesses of your coming.
Mary, heavy with child, journeying to Bethlehem.
Joseph, anxious with worry, hurrying to arrive in time.
The innkeeper, moved by compassion, helping the weary couple.
The animals, warm and heavy, gazing quietly on this stable birth.
The angels, massed and shining, singing glorious glad tidings.
The shepherds, on the ground, receiving brilliant news from heaven.
Thank you for the people who wrote this story down
and copied it out, manuscript after manuscript.
Thank you for those who preserved this good news,
even in the face of persecution and death.
Thank you for those who cherished it, and interpreted it,
who studied ancient languages and translated it,
serving up the Bible in words we can understand.
Thank you for this country, where we can worship without fear,
where scriptures can be read and passed on.
Thank you for the gospel of Christmas ringing out again this year,
as it has from the time of Christ, a story of peace
and goodwill to all people, a story of hope.
Holy Jesus, child of the world, child of God,
we welcome you into our world.
The Living Word, breathing among us,
a Saviour with surprisingly small fingers.
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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.