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ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Christmas
Message 2006
2006 Christmas Message
Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
"The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his
glory..." (John 1:14).
We live in a visited world. On that holy night twenty centuries
ago, God visited the world in the miracle of Bethlehem. Held in
Mary's arms that night was the revelation of steadfast,
unbounded love for all humanity. The birth of Jesus disclosed
God?s saving will and eternal desire for reconciliation and
peace.
In this season of Christmas, we encounter again Jesus, sent from
God for our salvation. As the Word is proclaimed in both simple
buildings and cathedrals of grandeur, we receive the good news
of God's love in Christ Jesus for the whole earth. We witness
the mystery of rebirth in the waters of Baptism and rejoice as
new ones are embraced by the community of faith. As bread is
broken and wine poured in the Eucharist, we give thanks for the
real presence of Christ in our midst.
We gather with the whole Church for the celebration of our
Lord's Nativity. In our gathering, however, we hear the sounds
of discord throughout the world. From divisions caused by walls
of separation, from the struggles of many for survival from
disasters, devastation, hunger, and poverty, from the dread of
rampant disease and the spread of HIV and AIDS, from war and the
threat of war, even with nuclear weapons, from broken
relationships in homes and hostilities within communities and
countries, we seek rescue. We yearn for the gracious, healing,
and reconciling Word of the Prince of Peace.
We hear the angel say, "Do not be afraid." With that message of
courage, we realize as believers that we are never alone. We
have been claimed by God and made a part of the household of
faith.
So we join with the whole Church on earth, lifting our voices
with renewed hope. In so doing, we join the grand anthem:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king....
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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