ELCA NEWS SERVICE
December 20, 2012
2012 Christmas Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
12-80-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), shared a Christmas
greeting today with the more than 4 million members of this church.
Hanson also delivered his greeting to the ELCA's full communion and
ecumenical partners and member churches of The Lutheran World Federation.
The full text of the presiding bishop's message follows:
"I greet you with these words from Luke (2:12): 'This will be a sign for
you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.'
"You will find a child -- a child. This year, the Christmas story is
inseparable from our deep sorrow for the children of Newtown, all who
died and all who mourn.
"We can make no sense of such violence, so we cry out for mercy. And God
hears our pleas. God responds with words of promise saying, 'I am with
you. I am with you in Jesus, the child lying in a manger. I am with you
in Jesus who has bourn your grief. I am with you in Jesus on the Cross
and risen from the dead.
"God's promise is (that) nothing in all creation will separate you from
God's love in Jesus. So amidst the unspeakable, we can join the angel
choir singing, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.'
"Because our hope is in Christ, we can rejoice in the wonder of Jesus'
birth. I wish you a blessed Christmas."
Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Visit http://youtu.be/X7p-YLz43cU for a video version of the 2012
Christmas Message.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA):
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church
of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God
through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the
world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church
reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
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http://www.ELCA.org/news
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Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com
