Pause

The Christ child is born!
All you who would find him,
prepare for a journey, as determined as the Magi.
All you who would praise him,
come with the faith to follow but a star.
All you who would worship him,
come with humility to the child
who shows forth the immeasurable riches of God.

Based on Matthew 2:1-12, from A Worship Sourcebook

Listen

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

Psalm 72:1-7

Think

Jesus’ leadership in this world was an epiphany and revelation for all who followed him. He was different from any ruler or king who came before him. He fulfilled the promises spoken of in the psalms and prophets and showed us how to truly lead.

A true leader seeks not to gain more power and wealth, but to care for the people whom he or she leads. A good leader quenches the thirst of those who are thirsty, advocates for those who are poor and in need, and acts with kindness and justice. A true leader knows how to serve. As a leader, Jesus did not cater to those who were strong or powerful or rich, but cared especially for those who were weak, oppressed, and poor.

As Christians we follow in Christ’s footsteps, who modeled for us true leadership so that all may have access to abundant life.

Joann Lee

Pray

God, you care so much for those who are poor, oppressed, and in need. Help me to have the same kind of heart in me, so that I may serve the people whom you love and help create a world that is more fair and just. Amen.

Go

See the child,
Gentle and kind,
Vision of God,
Image of the Divine.

Be the child,
Prepared to see
Images of God,
And all that will be.

All that will be.