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"People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:
'A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel';
She conceived him, 'God with us,'
Our brother, whose birth
restores hope and courage to children of this earth."
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Emmanuel, God with us…whose birth restores hope and courage.
What about that word courage?
Courage: "the strength or ability to face something that is frightening or painful."


Have you noticed that the story of an angel, a young pregnant girl and the birth of Jesus is a story of courage?
- A young woman in conversation with an angel sings with joy
- Pregnant, traveling, finding no place to spend the night, a young woman gives birth in a barn
- Parents with a newborn fleeing to another country to save the life of their child


Might you be needing courage today in these ways?
- To be open to change and new ideas
- To listen and learn from others
- To freely offer forgiveness
- To let go of a busy agenda to care for a neighbor
- To admit biases and prejudices about others
- To speak for those who do not have the power or means to speak for themselves
- To learn from mistakes and try again
- To be open to new insights in God’s Word


And we pray:
God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power. Grant us wisdom grant us courage for the living of these days. Amen