Almost 50 years ago I found a slim book in the Marshall Field book department titled “A Wreath of Christmas Poems.” Every year at Christmas I read the poems with delight.  Here is one of them, “A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior” by Ben Jonson (1572-1637).

I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
    The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light, and were afraid,
    Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, the eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
    And freed the soul from danger;
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which heaven and earth did make,
    Was now laid in a manger.

The Father’s wisdom willed it so,
The Son’s obedience knew no “No,”
    Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
    And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win?
Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
    To make us heirs of glory?
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyr born in our defense,
    Can man forget this story?

Gracious God who made this night shine with the One True Light, we thank you for this Gift beyond all measure. Help us to treasure Christ in our hearts, so that our acts of love may reflect his glory throughout the word so that all who live in darkness may see this Light of Hope. Amen

Read John 1:1-14 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne