Musings and Contemplations

Revelation 21:3 ESV
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Isaiah 63:7-9 NRSV
I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely;” and he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity, he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Hebrews 2:10-18 NRSV
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.
For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, ¹² saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
And again, “I will put my trust in him.”
And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Gregory Nazianzus
Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ from heaven, go out to meet Him! Christ on earth, be exalted! Sing to the Lord all the whole earth; and that I may join both in one word: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, for Him who is of heaven and then of earth. Christ in the flesh, rejoice with trembling and with joy; with trembling because of your sins, with joy because of your hope.[1]

Stephen Charnock
What a wonder is it that two natures infinitely distant should be more intimately united than anything in the world, and yet without any confusion! That the same person should have both a glory and a grief; an infinite joy in the Deity, and an inexpressible sorrow in the humanity; that a God upon a throne should be an infant in a cradle; the thundering Creator be a weeping babe and a suffering man. These are such expressions of mighty power, as well as condescending love, that they astonish men upon earth and angels in heaven.[2]

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds.

The Fourth Day of Christmas:
Four Calling Birds
The four calling birds symbolize the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which spread the good news of Jesus’ life and teachings.[3]

HEIDELBERG CATECHISM Question #19
Whence do you know [that the Mediator is at once true God and a true, righteous man]?
From the holy gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise; afterwards published by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and lastly fulfilled by His only begotten Son.

Almighty God,you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[4]

Noel by J. R. R. Tolkien

[1] From O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Jonathan Gibson, 2017, p. 311.
[2]From O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Jonathan Gibson, 2017, p. 227.
[3]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/twelve-days-of-christmas.html
[4] Prayer for the first Sunday of Christmas, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 600.