Manger and Kingdom – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It is no longer a worldly throne and kingdom as it once was but a spiritual throne and kingdom.

Where are Jesus’ throne and kingdom?

They are where he himself is present, reigns, and governs with his word and sacrament, in the church, in the congregation….

We are called into this kingdom. We can find it, within the church, in the community of the faithful, when we receive the word and sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ and submit to his authority, when we recognize the child in the manger as our Savior and Redeemer and let him bestow on us a new life grounded in love.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Works, v 16, p 616, “Christmas Night Sermon, 25 December 1940”.

(Find a couple of questions at Disciples’ Walk.)

Imperfect – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas Sermons

Check DisciplesWalk.org for a few comments.

A Christmas Prayer – Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children,
and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake,
Amen!

by Robert Louis Stevenson