Now it came to pass in those days that a decree went froth from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken, and each went to his home town to register.

Nearly 2,000 years later we recall these words and each of us has come to his/her own house of worship to register our praise and thanks to God on this holy night. Nothing is as beautiful as seeing this house of God filled with his holy people. The flowers, the candles, and the carols are beautiful. But it is the beautiful people of God who give it all the meaning. Tonight you have come to register your love for this child and the many blessings which He has given you.

Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of David in Judea, which is called Bethlehem, with his espoused wife who is with child.

There is nothing like the birth of a child to change family life. When a father and mother look upon their newborn child, they see their happiness and dreams fulfilled. Whatever anxieties and concerns may come seem for the moment to find another place. Birth is a moment of great joy, a joy we wish could last forever.

As we celebrate the birth of this child tonight. We recognize that life is changed through him. Born like us once in history, but again each time we receive Him, we proclaim the mystery of our faith: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." From the crib to the cross the meaning of His life is love, a love which has no end.

Mary and Joseph knocked on the door of the inn, but there was no room for them. There was however a stable behind the inn.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could keep alive the spirit of Christmas throughout the whole year? The secret is that of the innkeeper. Although there was no room up front in the inn, there was a little secret place in the back. So often our lives become so filled with business--busyness--at work, at hobbies, with the kids. Today and tomorrow you will find time to assemble and to fix the children’s toys; but how soon before that labor becomes a drudgery and a burden and the children start to cry and scream. If only the patience of Christmas could last forever.

And so it came to pass that Mary’s days were fulfilled; and she brought forth her first born son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.

This child we honor tonight did not bring a ready-wrapped gift of peace. He had to pay the price for that gift, to experience the pain of suffering and rejection and even hatred, all of which He took in His outstretched arms and offered on the cross to God in the greatest act of love the world has ever witnessed.

When He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday it was then that He offered: Peace be with you. Through all that suffering and hurt He was able to maintain love. That was the price for the peace which He shares with us tonight and throughout the year.

For to you this day is born in the city of David, a Savior who is the Lord.

When all the flowers and candles are gone and the stark coldness of January bites our spirits as well as bodies, we can survive if we have found a place in the back of our hearts to give birth to this child tonight.

In the midst of our busy schedules, we must find time each day to pray, each week to come and worship and receive Him. The gifts of bread and wine which represent our work, our prayers, our generosity, also represent our hopes, our fears, and all our needs. As we stand united, through the action and words of the celebrant, they become the very same Body and Blood as was present in that manger crib on the first Christmas night.

Suddenly the multitude of angels began praising God and singing: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will.

Tonight the entire human family converges around the birth of this child because His image is our reflection. The joy of Christmas is not in that we have found God, but that we have allowed Him to find us, and fill us with wonder and surprise and dignity.