The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day Divine Service

The Nativity of Our Lord - The Feast of the Incarnation
When the night was deepest,
the Eternal Word took on flesh and blood.
He came not as idea but as Infant,
not as symbol but as Savior,
not far away but bone of our bone,
God-with-us,
for us and for our salvation.
Here in the Eucharist,
the same Christ who lay in the manger
lays Himself upon the altar -
the Bread of Heaven for the life of the world.
Come behold the mystery
the ancient Fathers cherished
and the Church has carried across centuries:
The Word became flesh.
Why Come Back Now?
Because the human heart is restless
until it rests in Christ and Him alone.
Because the Church -
with her sacred Scriptures,
her Creeds,
her Sacraments,
her ancient songs -
still stands as the Lord's ark
upon the troubled waters of the age.
Because the grace given in Holy Baptism
still calls your name.
Because the forgiveness of sin spoken in Holy Absolution
still breaks chains.
Because the Body and Blook of Christ
still strengthen the faint,
heal the wounded,
and gladden the penitent.
Wanders, seekers, lapsed believers,
the burdened, the curious the longing -
all are welcomed,
not by merit
but by the mercy of Jesus the Christ.
Come home,
He's seeking you out.
He's waiting on you.