Monday, December 26, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Titus 3:4–7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (NRSV) 

Reflection

Each year, I am struck had how quickly the world moves on from Christmas. At midnight on December 26, it’s over. The radio stations return to their normal programming. Christmas trees are brought to the curb. Lights off. Our carols, silenced. And even though, for Christians, the Season of Christmas has just begun, the abrupt end of the celebrations around us isn’t unreasonable. The babe has been born. The angels sang. Mary is resting. God’s work appears done. Now what?    

Keep reading beyond the author’s poetic description of the Incarnation in today’s scripture and we get a hint. The author gives us instructions for daily life in response to the “goodness and loving-kindness of God” that appeared (that’s Jesus). The faithful are to “devote themselves to good works” (verse 8) and “avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels” (verse 9).  

God has saved us not to get tangled in a web of disagreement or become consumed by the insignificant, but to work for the good of all creation, to bring good news through word and deed to all.  

Yes, on the day after Christmas there is a stark change, and at the same time, it appears that nothing has changed at all. Yet we know that because the “goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior has appeared” nothing can ever be the same. God is renewing us and creation through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

On the day after, when the carols fade and the lights dim, we are invited to live our purpose and to begin the work of Christmas: to live as Christ’s own people, devoting ourselves to doing good in this world that God so loves. Merry Christmas.  

Prayer

God, you spoke and your Word became flesh, breathing goodness and loving-kindness into the world. Grant that I may bear the good news of your coming, the freedom of my salvation, and the promise of your love to the ends of the earth. Amen. 

Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer 

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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