Merry Christmas. It’s a joy to reflect on Christmas 2025.

In a season like this,
When the world seems especially dark,
When powerful governments and the kings of our world seem out of control,
When the oppressed are beaten down and the rich made even richer,
When the planet seems to be breaking,
In a season like this.

Our God comes. OUR GOD COMES! Not as a king—not rich or powerful. Our God, our light in the darkness, comes as a baby. It all seems so fitting to our world. In the Magnificat, Mary sings of the poor being lifted up and the rich being sent empty away. Goodness, blessing, and God’s Way is not the way of power.

Our pastor spoke in her Christmas Eve sermon of, “God’s Good News beginning with those living close to the ground.” She was referring to the shepherds, those who lived outdoors, with the animals of the fields, and were the first to hear God’s Good News. It made me think of a conversation this week with my friend Michael who lives outdoors. Michael explained that living in the woods requires him to find a balance with all of God’s other creatures who call the woods home. Michael befriends the mice that sniff around his tent. Michael lives close to the ground and I am often reminded of God’s Good News when I speak with him.

In this season, there are three songs that have especially resonated with me. They bring a message I need to hear. I pray they might resonate with you as well.

One song is titled Born On A New Day. Here are the lyrics.

You are the new day,
You are the new day.
Meekness, love, humility
Come down to us this day:
Christ, your birth has proved to me
You are the new day.

Quiet in a stall you lie,
Angels watching in the sky
Whisper to you from on high
“You are the new day”.

When our life is darkest night,
Hope has burned away;
Love, your ray of guiding light,
Show us the new day.

Love of all things great and small
Leaving none, embracing all,
Fold around me where I fall,
Bring in the new day.

This new day will be
A turning point for everyone.
If we let the Christ-child in, and
Reach for the new day.

Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life;
Healing sadness, ending strife;
You we welcome, Lord of life,
Born on a new day.
You are the new day.

Songwriters: Peter Knight / John David / Philip Lawson

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the song.

Born On A New Day

The second song is one you all know. O Holy Night. But have you listened to the verses before. Depending on the version sung, verse 2 or 3 is the following.

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name, all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Wow, how appropriate is that for today’s world.

Here’s a link.

O Holy Night

And finally, I never fail to be moved by my favorite verse of In A Bleak Mid Winter.

What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

In the Bleak Mid-Winter

All of these beautiful songs reassure me. They tell me that God knows what is happening and that God’s Good News has come, is coming, and will come. But not in power, not in the obvious ways we might wish for or expect. But our God comes in weakness, in the poor, and those living close to the ground. And if we want to hear him, see him, and follow him, perhaps we need to seek out the Good News in those people and places. What can I give him? I can give my heart. Amen.

God bless,
Coe