Merry Christmas everyone. I offer this greeting because I am writing this  on Christmas morning. Today my heart is focused on the fact, and I declare it is a fact, that God loves us. As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, and believe that he was God’s child, and God with us, we can know that each and every one us is God’s beloved child.

Last night at church, while I participated in worship, I felt God’s love swirling through the room. We participated. We clapped and smiled with the children as they played their glow sticks like a drum. I wished I was a child again. Although I have no wish to relive parts of my past, there was such abundant joy in the midst of those struggles. At worship we sang, our voices strong and clear. We listened with our hearts open to hear God’s love.

Today there will be presents. We can refuse to open any one of them, regardless of the beautiful wrapping. A present is not received until we choose to untie the ribbon and tear off the wrapping. Still our refusal does not mean that the gift is unreal and present with us. We cannot throw God’s gift away. The reality is, God loves us no matter what.

This morning I am grateful that I know in the depths of my heart that God loves me, that everyone is God’s beloved child. And so I send this greeting, “Know you are loved and pass God’s love to others.” Say the prayer my husband Tom says at every meal, “Please God make us a blessing this day for everyone we meet and especially for each other.” Amen