Kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth

Kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth. Heaven touches earth at the birth of the Christ-child, whenever we celebrate it, and however we celebrate it.

Heaven touches earth in dramatic ways. We see it in Isaiah’s vision of light, peace, and liberty to the world that has too long dwelt in darkness, turmoil and bondage (Isaiah 60.18-61.6). We see it in the angel choir, through which we glimpse the joy of heaven overspilling into human time and space (Luke 2.8-18). And we see it later later still, in the star that drew the magi from the East, when the very fabric of the universe proclaims ‘Christ is born’ (Matthew 2:1-6).

But heaven also touches earth in the humble, in the very human. Once the angels have gone, the shepherds are left with something considerably less majestic: a long night-time walk through the back-streets in search of a newborn baby lying in an animal feeding trough, along with a couple of very tired parents. Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) – yes, maybe, but not only that. Also a child, weak, fragile, and dependent.

Heaven touches earth: in the grand and the majestic, and in the small and humble, they are all God’s grace breaking into the world.

Heaven touches earth when any one of us responds to God’s outstretched hand, and clasps it. Heaven touches earth when any one of us prays, ‘Be near me, Lord Jesus’. So let’s dare to clasp the hand of the tiny child in the manger, and allow him to pull us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.

Additional Collect for Christmas Day
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

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May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ-child
be ours this Christmas;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.

A Christmas Blessing,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council