The Holy Name

Heavenly Father, speak to us as you spoke to Moses. Bless us and keep us; make your countenance shine upon us and give us peace. We exalt your name in all the world. You have made us but little lower than the angels; you adorn us with glory and power. As children of God, we then also are heirs.   At Communion, let us behold what we are and let us become what we receive. And not only at the rail but at all times let that same mind be in us that was also in Christ Jesus.   We are shepherds, the sons and daughters of those who abided in the fields and watched over their flocks by night. We, too, in heart and mind can go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place. Two millenia after the birth, we, even we, behold Mary, Joseph and the child lying in a manger.   And on this day especially we worship Jesus Christ, according to his holy name.    - TODD CULBERTSON   Re-published from "spirit", St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA