Good morning, Nativity!
Last Sunday I preached on Isaiah Chapters 61 and 62. The imagery was of the joy of a wedding ceremony with the take home message of sharing a bit of God’s Kingdom, sharing His Love and Joy, and by doing that to assist in making disciples of all nations, that is fulfilling the Great Commission. This Sunday we will again touch on Isaiah Chapter 61 as Jesus introduces Himself as the Messiah. The message this Sunday will be on Grace and Mercy.
The Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ for a world that needs His Love and Joy. There is considerable trepidation in our nation right now. President Trump has issued a multitude of Executive Orders since beginning his presidency Monday. Some of these Executive Orders have been characterized as not being very Christ-like, of not showing Grace and Mercy, Love and Joy.
Leadership of the Episcopal Church has not been silent on the Executive Orders concerning the Immigration and LGBTQ+ policies. You can read the Presiding Bishop’s letter to the church on immigration here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/letter-from-episcopal-church-leaders-on-trump-administration-immigration-executive-orders/. Bishop Marian Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington DC, gave a pointed sermon on LGBTQ+ and Immigration, with President Trump and Vice President Vance in attendance, at the National Cathedral on Tuesday (link). Both the letter and the sermon are worth our time to review, consider, and pray on.
Other denominations have also issued press releases challenging the Executive Order on Immigration, including the Roman Catholics: link
These are not political statements but statements on policies that the Church, as Christ’s Body in this world, has much to offer. Both the Episcopal Church and Roman Catholic Church responded with this same message in the Fall of 2024 to proposed bipartisan immigration legislation. These statements are about answering Jesus’s call upon us to carry His teachings into the world by showing His Love, Joy, Grace, and Mercy.
I will end this week’s Nativity Now with the prayer for our country from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP 820). This is an ancient prayer about doing God’s will and unifying as one people, about building Christ’s Kingdom within our country.
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly ask you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Gift with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the Peace and Love of Christ,
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