Inspired by words by Nancy Tillman:
On the night or day that each of us was born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see each of us, and the night wind whispered, “Life will never be the same.” Because there had never been anyone like any of us, ever in the world.
So enchanted with every child was the wind and the rain, that they whispered the sound of each baby’s name. The sound of each name is a magical one.
Now, we’ll whisper, very softly, for every baby being born, all over the world: “You are the light of the world.”
So whenever we doubt just how special we are – and we wonder who loves us, how much and how far, listen for the sound of the voice of the one known as the Light of the World whispering our names, and know that we are each unique and every one dearly loved.
This is true of every newborn child: “Never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time) has the world ever known a YOU, my friend,
and it never will, not ever again.
Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born” and forevermore, there is joy in our hearts.
Responsive Reading for Sunday, December 24
Responses from Nancy Tilllman’s book, On the Night You Were Born (with permission).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him. And without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5).
On the night or day that each of us was born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see each of us, and the night wind whispered, “Life will never be the same.” Because there had never been anyone like any of us, ever in the world.
“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9).
So enchanted with every child was the wind and the rain, that they whispered the sound of each baby’s name. The sound of each name is a magical one. Now, we’ll whisper, very softly, for every baby being born, all over the world: “You are the light of the world.”
“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
So whenever we doubt just how special we are – and we wonder who loves us, how much and how far, listen for the sound of the voice of the one known as the Light of the World whispering our names, and know that we are each unique and every one dearly loved.
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “You are the light of the world . . . . your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16).
This is true of every newborn child: “Never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time) has the world ever known a YOU, my friend, and it never will, not ever again. Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born” and forevermore, there is joy in our hearts.