1st Saturday in Advent

1st week in Advent -- Saturday                                Isaiah 9:6

                                   A Child Is Born

A baby . . .

wondrous,

adorable,

cuddly,

oohs and ahs,

a bundle of love.

A baby . . .

smelly,

noisy,

confusing,

wet and dirty,

a bundle of "What now?"

All the splendor and miracle,

the joy and perplexity

of life are packaged

in the newborn.

All the Awe,

Miracle,

Wonder, and

Love of God

come to us,

packaged in the ancient words

of Good News:

"For to us a child is born,

to us a Son is given . . ."

Creator God:

In the stillness of night you came and created a new thing -- Your own self, born of a woman, to redeem and save us all.  How wonderful and mysterious and loving are your ways.  We thank you for the simple gift of a child, for the amazing Gift of the Child, Jesus; in whose name we both live and pray.  Amen.