Dear People of God in Southern Ohio,
In the book Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, one of the characters says, “No miracle happens without a witness. Someone to declare, Here’s what I saw. Here’s how it went. Make of it what you will.”
In these next days, we will hear once more about the angel of the Lord standing before shepherds in a field, and the glory of the Lord shining all around them. They’ll be terrified, still — of course they will be! I would be, too. The angel will tell them not to be afraid. The angel will tell them about good news of great joy for everybody. Because unto us, again and still, the Messiah is born.
Beloved of God, we are witnesses to this good news. We are bearers of this great joy.
In the midst of this season, while wrapping and cooking, celebrating and gift-giving, we are witnesses. In the midst of this season, still fraught with wars and rumors of wars, still beset by injustice and suffering and loss, we are witnesses.
We are witnesses to the good news that God chose to be like us, in order to be with us. We are witnesses to God’s infinite love that comes down to us, still and always, at Christmas. This gift of love is a gift for all people, and as followers of Jesus, we are bearers of this joy to the whole world.
Beloved of God, it is so good to be with you as your bishop-elect, as we begin this ministry we will share. I wish you every blessing this Christmas. I pray that it will be a season in which you encounter the miracle of Jesus’ birth in new ways — ways that might surprise you. I hope that you will be witnesses, still and forever, to the good news of God in Christ.
Thank you for welcoming John and me into your midst.
Merry Christmas.
The Rev. Canon Kristin Uffelman White
Bishop-elect
