Take a moment to settle into a comfortable position.
Allow your body to rest gently.
And if it feels right,
Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Take a deep breath.
And exhale slowly.
Start to feel the rhythm of your breath.
Let the stillness surround you.
With each breath,
Release the weight of this Advent season.
All of its tasks,
Its busyness,
Its joys and stresses.
As you inhale,
Imagine breathing in the peace of this holy day.
As you exhale,
Let go of everything that keeps you from fully entering this sacred moment.
Breathe in the presence of God and breathe out the rush of this season.
Listen now to the words of the Gospel of Luke.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Pause for a moment and let these words settle in your heart.
Today is Christmas Day,
A day that proclaims God's love made tangible,
God's present made real,
God's humility made visible in a newborn child.
The world did not stop for Christ's birth.
There were no trumpets of welcome in the city,
No palaces waiting for his arrival.
And yet in a quiet,
Humble manger,
In the embrace of love,
Christ was born.
And so it is for you,
Dear leader.
Today,
There is no need to strive.
There's no need to perform.
The Christ child comes to you as you are in your exhaustion,
Your joy,
Your weariness,
Your wonder.
The Christ child comes to your heart to remind you I am with you always.
Let's now enter a quiet space of reflection.
Picture the stable in Bethlehem.
See the rough texture of the wooden manger,
The straw scattered on the ground,
The gentle light of a lantern flickering.
Breathe in the earthy sense,
Hay,
Animals,
The cool air of the night.
Now imagine yourself there entering this sacred space.
You see Mary,
Young,
Tender,
Radiant in her love for the newborn Jesus.
She cradles the child,
Her face filled with awe and peace.
Joseph stands near,
His presence steady,
His heart full of quiet wonder.
You approach the manger.
The Christ child lies before you,
Swaddled and still,
Fragile,
Yet holding the fullness of God.
Take a moment to kneel beside the manger.
What do you feel as you gaze upon baby Jesus?
What do you hear in the silence of this holy night?
Let yourself rest here for a moment.
Allow the sacredness of Christ's birth to fill the empty spaces within you.
The Christ child invites you to let go.
What do you feel like Christ is asking you to lay down in this moment?
What does it mean to receive the gift of Emmanuel,
God with us today?
How might you carry the peace and sacredness of this day into the days ahead?
What do you need in this coming week to care for yourself and honor this season?
Is it something fun that sparks joy?
Do you need rest?
Are you longing for some laughter with loved ones?
Do you need to get outside or do some self-care?
Take a moment to listen to your heart and name what you need,
And give yourself permission to receive it.
Gracious and loving God,
On this Christmas day,
We give thanks for the gift of your Son,
Born in humility and love.
In the stillness of this moment,
We lay down the burdens we carry,
Our exhaustion,
Our worries,
Our to-do lists,
And we receive your peace.
May the light of Christ's birth renew us.
May the hope of Emmanuel sustain us.
And may we,
Like the shepherds and wise ones,
Be drawn to your presence and sent out in joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
The light of the world,
We pray.
Amen.
Sit in this quiet for a moment longer and let the stillness linger.
As you prepare to return to your day,
Carry this truth with you.
Christ is born.
God is with you.
You are beloved.
Go now in peace,
And may the sacredness of this day remain in your heart.
