In Theory:

Christmas is not just a day, it is a state of mind. As a Christian pluralist I understand the celebration of Jesus’ birth in metaphor as light breaking forth amid darkness. Whatever your faith, we can probably all agree that our world needs enlightenment. As war, disease, genocide, hate and violence break our world, we ache for healing. As a Christian who believes in the miracle of Christmas, I believe that Jesus taught us to walk in the light, to seek peace, to heal the broken, to love the hated, to care for the poor and to stand up for the oppressed. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth we are invited to birth the light within us and then let it shine! So let’s honor Jesus’ birth by living our lives as he lived — seeking justice, loving one another and humbly walking in the light of God. Merry Christmas!

Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

Costa Mesa

Christmas is God’s “I love you!” to all people everywhere. Isn’t “I love you!” the gift we most want to give and receive?

The babe born in Bethlehem is God’s Word to us about ourselves; the Christ-child makes humanity forever young.

Unwrap God’s exquisite present to you: the Incarnation, the nativity of God in skin. Like the Prince of Peace, be birthed afresh into this justice-starved world.

Our yearly “Silent Night, Holy Night” calls us together, away from the glitz of commercialism’s best season, to open our hearts to the holy presence of God with us.

Children say, “I wish I had a picture of God.” We are given exactly this in the birth of Jesus — for us, and for the whole world.

The Very Rev’d Canon Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar