The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age

So He has come to teach and train us. He has come in humility and poverty to teach and train us. He has come in the appearance and reality of flesh and blood to teach and train us.

Blessed are the poor,
blessed the humble,
blessed are those who witness to Him.

As Paul tells us we are to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age. We are to live that way here and now, not someday, not in some sort of fantasy life detached from the reality of existence, but in our everyday lives. We are not to leave it to the saints, for we are all called to be saints, witnesses, and martyrs. We are called to be for Him alone because He has given us more than we could ever repay. He has given us a salvation we did not merit.

Witness Him. Witness the baby in the manager, the teacher on the Mount, the one bruised, broken, and crushed for us, the God-man cooking fish by the seaside, the one telling His followers feed my sheep, feed my lambs.

There are no excuses left.

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

In a poor mean city, in a cave at the outskirts, to a woman who was scandal to the people of her village, guarded by a man on his second marriage, a descendant of David looking for comfort in his waning years.

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Adored by the spectrum of reality, from the shepherds, poor and dirty to the full compliment of the heavenly host. From the Jewish shepherds to the Magi from the East.

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

The excuses are over for like the shepherds we must believe our eyes and ears.

—Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

Amen.