"Go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see this thing that the Lord has done and has made known to us."

Dear Clergy & People of West Texas,

Grace to you and Peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! One of my early memories of church life is participating in the annual Christmas pageant with my two brothers. I remember one year being assigned the role of shepherd. Dressed in a bathrobe for a costume, and with a stick in my hand, I was given a single line to memorize and recite. At the appropriate moment I was to say loudly and clearly for all to hear, “Let us go to Bethlehem!” In my memory I hit my mark, said my line, and the show went on.

As I travel throughout the diocese this week there are Christmas pageants and Posadas of all shapes and sizes happening in many of our congregations and schools. Children, youth, and adults are being transformed into choirs of angels, herds of sheep, magi, stars, innkeepers, narrators, and, of course, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Through these pageants the story of Jesus’ birth is told and proclaimed, especially when an angel recites: “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

As a parish priest I remember one year when the annual Christmas pageant did not go as planned. The child playing Mary got sick and had to be replaced at the last minute. The doll representing baby Jesus was dropped in the aisle. Shepherds forgot their lines. One of the sheep karate-chopped the other sheep in the herd. In fact, I do not remember any year that the annual Christmas pageant ever went perfectly as planned. Every year there were blunders, chaos, microphone problems, falls, and last-minute scrambles. And, that is what I love about pageants and posadas. I love their imperfections, mistakes and chaos because they make the Christmas story more authentic.

This Christmas we will once again celebrate that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The good news of the Incarnation is that God did not wait until all was perfect to send the Son into the world. God sees our imperfections and mistakes, failures and sins, joys and sorrows, chaos and brokenness and chooses to come to dwell with us anyway. That is good news. That is amazing grace.

So let us once again heed the voice of the shepherds and go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see this thing that the Lord has done and has made known to us. For to us is born a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord. Come, let us adore him.

Peace,
+David
The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D.
Bishop of West Texas

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Photo courtesy of Lauren Vereen - St. Peter's, Kerrville.