As difficult and dangerous circumstances around the birth of Jesus Christ continue in our world, what is the Good News that continues to be proclaimed?

As is now a Gospel Conversation tradition, we've opened up Christmas Day's Conversation to any of our Conversationalists who were available at the recording time to join in. We asked them all, "What continues to surprise you with joy in the Gospel reading?" The result is a bundle of celebration and unfamiliar ways of thinking about this extremely familiar story.

As we reflect again on this very Good News, does it still have the power to speak into our troubled world where the nativity scene still gets repeated?

Enjoy this last conversation for the year: we are planning to send out a "special edition" after Christmas that will cover the weeks before we get going properly for 2025. Make sure you have "Nourishing Faith" as one of the publications you sign up for, or keep an eye on our website for the the mini-conversations for January.

All of us who have taken part this year wish all of you who have watched a wonderful, blessed, and merry Christmas.

Link to Christmas 2024 Gospel Conversation

Special Holiday Edition of Gospel Conversations

This will be available after Christmas and will be sent to all Nourishing Faith subscribers

The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2, 1-14

(1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (2) (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) (3) And everyone went to their own town to register.

(4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. (5) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, (7) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

(8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

(13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

(14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”