Go tell it on the mountain!

" Would you bless the table for us?"
It was a reasonable request I thought, then came the second part of the request:
"can you make it non-denominational?"
This was at our office Christmas lunch. Or was it 'Holidays Lunch'? I'll have to recheck the invitation, everything and everyone is so PC these days...

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So I kept it 'non denominational' (except for 'in Jesus name I pray'  and the sign of the cross, before and after the prayer, - I'm Catholic, sue me) explaining that Christmas is a season that brings out the best in us: people are more polite, loving and giving because we celebrate God entering human history as an innocent babe so that later he could restore the broken relationship we had with God.

This message cannot be hidden or watered down and in fact an African-American (formerly 'negro') spiritual says it best.

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

This is good news for all mankind, we need to shout it from the mountain tops so that it will echo throughout the valleys. Go tell it on the mountain...hopefully I will see you there.

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light

The Word takes flesh and the glory of God is revealed by the heavenly hosts to shepherds in the field. Christ himself who is the 'Good Shepherd' watching over us, protecting us, leading us to safety. I can only pray that as we witness Christ to others that they will see His holy light manifest and shining through us.

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth

"Do not be afraid, fear not"...Christ's words spoken so many times in the Gospels. Words that calm the anxious heart and soothes the troubled soul. We who know him and his comfort have a mission, a duty to bring that comfort to those who need it.

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God send us salvation,
That blessed Christmas morn

That the Savior of the world, the Son of God would humble himself to be born in a manger and to die on a cross. What manner of love is this, and how can I return it? I have so often placed pride before love and Christmas reminds me that salvation can only come through the power of love and not through the love of power.

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Many people get hung up on the date: December 25th. It is not the date we celebrate but the fact that God came into the world, 'born of a woman'. We celebrate his birth, not his birth-day, and what it means for all of us. Now my sisters and brothers by the witness of your lives 'Go tell it on the mountains, that Jesus Christ is born!' Merry Christmas to all!

Deacon Michel