Most of us know - and maybe can recite from memory - the Apostles Creed. Many of you probably know the Nician Creed. There are other Christian creeds out there that we have seldom or have never used at Holy Cross.
Creeds are statements of belief. They gather the basic truths of our faith and combine them into a coherent statement of what we profess to believe. It helps us in a couple of ways: it tells ourselves what the church we belong to expects us to believe. It also helps us to examine our faith and it may even encourage us to study the parts we are not too sure of. Creeds are also a good way to let those outside the church know what we believe. Most of the Christian creeds speak of the very core of the Christian message... Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the birth, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ.
This morning, as the Christmas season begins to come to a close, I would like to share this creed I found in a devotional I read yesterday:
A Christmas Creed from Latin America
I believe in Jesus Christ and in the power of the Gospel which began in Bethlehem.
I believe in the One whose spirit glorified a small village,
of whose coming the shepherds saw the sign,
and for whom there was no room in the inn.
I believe in the One whose life changed the course of history,
for whom the kings of the earth had no power,
and who was not understood by the proud.
I believe in the One to whom the poor, the oppressed, the discouraged,
the afflicted, the sick, the blind and the leprous gave welcome
and accepted as Savior.
I believe in the One who, with love, changed the hearts of the proud,
and with his life, showed that it is more important to serve than to be served,
and that the greatest joy is in giving your life for others.
I believe in peace, which means justice among all peoples and nations
and love among all.
I believe in reconciliation, forgiveness and the transforming power of the gospel.
I believe that Christmas is strength and power, and that this world can change
if, with humility and faith, we kneel before the manger.
I believe that I must be the first one to do so. Amen.
I love that last sentence: "I believe that I must be the first one to do so." I think that should be included in every creed.
Father,
Help us to really think about our faith and what we are expected to believe. Teach us to not be afraid to ask questions about those things of our faith we are not sure of. Amen.
Joys: a return to routine; exciting things coming for my family this year;a warm home
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