CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

This is a night for telling stories, and some of the old ones are best. Besides the best-loved Christmas story that we just heard, here's another that's been around for some years. You may know the one about the child at bedtime – could be your child, could be you yourself long ago. First there's a book to read – Goodnight, Moon is a favorite. Then there's a song, Hush Little Baby, Don't Say a Word [Papa's Gonna Buy You a Mocking Bird]. Then there's a prayer, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep or some other. Then there's getting tucked in with the covers all smooth and nice, having the right stuffed animals; the goodnight kiss. Then Mom, Dad, Grandma or whoever walks to the door. But this night the child says, "Please stay with me."

"Oh, did I forget something." "No, you didn't forget, just please stay with me."

"Is something wrong? Don't you feel good?" "I feel all right."

"Do you need a sip of water?" "No, but please stay with me."

"Are you feeling a little afraid?' "A little."

"I'll stay until you fall asleep, but you know you're safe and sound here in your own room. There's nothing here that can hurt you. And God is with you and will stay with you all through the night. God loves you, so you are never alone."

"I know God is with me. But tonight I want God to have skin on." (*)

It's not only the child at bedtime; it's all of us who sometimes want a hand to hold, a hug, skin, someone flesh and blood to touch. In the wonder of the Incarnation, God satisfied that need in us – for human touch, human warmth, someone to hold on to. From the flesh of Mary, the Eternal Word (God before the cosmos came into being) took on skin – became touchable, visible, holdable. In the manger, God is not dressed up in skin like a baby dressed in a "onesie;" from the womb of Mary, now laid in a manger, God has become human.

Christmas is rich in meaning and symbol, like the symbols of darkness and light. In a few minutes, when we share with one another the flame of candles, we will be taken by the beauty of light in the darkness // and the meaning of Christ the Light coming into the world's darkness – grief and doubt, cruelty and greed, all that is evil and sinful around and within us. Darkness (sin, evil, and death itself) flees away at the light of Christ.

But light cannot be grasped. Not the door left open to the light in the hall, not even a nightlight satisfies the child at bedtime who needs God with skin on – for whatever reason this night feels too dark. The incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ (God become flesh) is the meaning, the mystery and miracle of this night. God was not satisfied to be untouchable. Maybe God was not satisfied to be untouched.

The Babe of Bethlehem: what stories and songs did he hear from Mary, how many times was he rocked in Joseph's arms, how many kisses were planted on his cheek – the cheek of God? What love this is – for God from the vastness of heaven to take form in one little child! God so loved the world, that he gave this baby to Mary and Joseph, to shepherds, angels and to wise men and wise women in every place and time...

We will sing Silent Night shortly and feel joy or sadness, loved or lonely, wonder or empti-ness, warmth, peace. When we light the candles, what we feel is not about candles; it's us holding the candles, lifting the candles, lighted up by the candles (each one of us a struggling person, loved and redeemed by God). God having once become flesh has not abandoned flesh to become pure spirit, like beautiful but ungraspable light. God, having once become flesh, forever remains flesh. We receive God in our hands. We embody God as the church. What we feel around us is God with skin on, God in the flesh, God with us -- Emmanuel.