December 24th, 2001
Christmas 2001

O God, your passionate Word to our warring and divided world is Jesus who, arms stretched upon a cross, breaks down all walls of division and hostility and holds all people and all creation in a fierce embrace of unyielding and unconquerable love.

As we celebrate his birth in the shadow of September and all that has happened in its wake, give us eyes to see that the One who lies in the manger is more than a baby: he is our peace.

May Christ find room in our hearts anew to love the world through us “for the healing of the nations.”

This we pray in the name of the One who reconciled all things to you and is source and ending of our life, Jesus, Emmanuel.

Amen

The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold
XXV Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA