By Laurel Woodward Breckbill, assistant resident director and student life intern at Goshen College
Reprinted from Lenten Devotions Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV) One of my favorite seasonal hymns is a French folk melody, ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime. My parents sing this hymn together – O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou, The holy child of earth and heav’n is born today for you. Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty, peace, and joy. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria! Without accompaniment, their two voices mix together in simple harmony until they sing together the final line, a striking proclamation. Listen! Jesus your King is born! Gloria! Often, we separate the ideas of freedom and service but juxtaposed together, the two beautifully articulate gifts presented to us through the birth and life of Christ. Just as the hunters, chiefs, shepherds and kings came freely to serve this babe, so too are we invited to freely serve others. We are the children of the forest free and today we celebrate the birth of the one who calls us together and offers us the freedom to follow the path of service. Through the birth and work of Jesus Christ, we are freed from isolation to live a life of Christian service to each other and the world. Come, rejoice! Jesus is born! ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled, The mighty Gitchi Manitou* sent angel choirs instead. Before their light the stars grew dim, and wond’ring hunters heard the hymn: Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria! Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found, A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty ‘round. But as the hunter braves drew dim, the angel song rang loud and high: Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria! The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there. The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria! O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou, The holy child of earth and heav’n is born today for you. Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty, peace, and joy. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria! *Translation: the mighty Lord of all the world Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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