Watch Bishop Ward’s final video on Advent. Read the transcript below.
“May Christ come to you with fullness of hope, joy, peace and love this Christmas. We light the Christ candle as a sign of welcome to the one who comes to fill our hearts and lives with these magnificent gifts of God.
Christ is born in a surprising place, not a palace, but a humble place. And the first to hear the good news of His birth are humble workers, shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks by night. They come and worship the newborn King. Soon Magi from the east see a bright star and come also.
In this beautiful scene of Christmas, we know the great love of God for us and the expansive purpose of God for all the world: peace on Earth, good will to all.
This holy festival of God’s love, this welcoming of a holy child is a time to know that God’s fullness of love abides with us and through us. We live victoriously because of this day.
Peace on Earth, good will to all. The angels sang this wonderful greeting over shepherd’s field long ago. We hear the refrain in this moment, as the Christ candle burns, and as we sing the carols of Christmas and hear again the wonderful story so old, and yet so new.
May Christ come into your heart in this holy season and may Christ abide with you now and always. ‘Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.'”