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By the time you read this, Christmas will be upon us. After all the weeks of preparation—made even shorter this year by the late date of Thanksgiving—we are finally at the moment when the Good News of great joy breaks upon us. The following is a lovely Christmas message from one of my favorite writers-theologians-poets, Joyce Rupp. It can be found in her 2001 publication Inviting God In. The mediation is based on this phrase from Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who…brings good news.” Joyce Rupp’s “Beautiful Are They Who Bring Love”:
It is Christmas! It is the most wondrous feast—the birthday of the One who came to show us a God of love. How beautiful are the feet of those who walk the extra step across a room to greet someone with whom they have had differences. How beautiful are the feet of those who step beyond the material gifts and appreciate the heart of the giver. How beautiful are the feet of those who move about in the kitchen making the special foods and serving the guests who gather. How beautiful are the feet of those who not only go to church services but who also fully participate by greeting others joyfully, praying and singing heartily. How beautiful are the feet of those who walk into homeless shelters or places with little comfort to bring some of their own abundance.
Yes, how beautiful are all those feet who walk with glad tidings this day, with the intention of love in their hearts, for they are living the message of the One who came so long ago. The Christ of abundant love, born some two thousand years ago, lives on in us. As our feet take us near and far, let us continue to be the Christ to one another.
Divine Messenger, I will carry the glad tidings of your abundant and abiding love to all I meet and greet today.
This is a great Christmas message. Merry Christmas!
