Psalm 98 calls for worship beyond simply singing the old Christmas songs that we have been taught. Only a new song will do – a song of victory and vindication, a song that embodies all the arts, diverse music instruments, and the harmonics of the universe. The impetus for this new song is divine justice, the equity of God’s judgment, the equality of God’s love. This Christmas eve, we sing, not “Away in a Manger” but “Away with the Anger, God’s Justice Is Done!”

	What new lyrics would you like to sing this Christmas? What words and music does the word need to hear? How do we create worship that embodies justice and equity?

Isaiah 52:7-10 offers hope of restoration, not only to Jerusalem of old, but also to those whose lives seem to be in ruins today. Preachers and all hearers of the word are called to “Listen!” – listen for the good news of salvation: “Your God reigns!” How welcome will be the messengers who bring words of peace and hope and salvation to those who have been oppressed, denied, destroyed. The words come in the midst of the ruins, not after everything is alright. This Christmas message is one of worship and celebration. Bring and celebrate with your feet, your voices, yours arms, your eyes. What a valuable word for the LGBT community: even before we see equality in our nation, we proclaim that our God reigns. Keep looking and listening and working together. And sing for joy while we wait.

	What words will convey the good news of salvation to transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay persons? Who are the messengers who proclaim that good news today?

Hebrews 1:1-12 includes one of the most carefully written statements in the New Testament (verse 1-4), introducing readers/hearers to the unparalleled superiority of Christ and setting the stage for the rest of the sermon we know as the epistle to the Hebrews. Here, everything else in human life, in creation, and in the heavens pales in contrast to Christ. When one’s faith is battered, it is good to hear the angels again and know that even these strains of praise fall short of describing the gift that is Christ.

	When God’s messengers fall short of the proclamation of God’s majesty and gift in Christ, how will transgender, lesbian, gay and bisexual people hear of God’s love and grace? In what ways can you make this Christmas a celebration of the Incarnation, the fullness of God in human form, for all people?

Maintaining the integrity of John’s proclamation of the Incarnation found in John 1:1-18 may be very challenging for many preachers on Christmas Eve. This narrative about the Incarnation, about God’s becoming flesh and living among us, is not your standard Christmas story. No shepherds – shepherds belong to Luke’s story. No magi – magi belong to Matthew’s story. No manger. Neither census nor crowded guest quarters. No angels here or flight to Egypt.

Instead, we encounter the cosmic Word, the Light, the Wisdom (Sophia), who enters into the world as flesh. Nothing can remain the same ever again. This proclamation incarnate, in flesh and blood, now brings life and light that can never be overcome. No one is excluded here. The passage is full of expansive affirmations: this Gift of God, the Light that the darkness has never overtaken, is for “all people” (verse 4), so that “all that received” Christ might be empowered (verse 12) to become God’s children. From God’s “fullness” we have “all” received (verse 16)! Thus the Christmas proclamation this year from John’s gospel is about room-for-all, rather than no room at the inn. Life and light, divine access and grace-filled flesh belong to all.

	What kind of Christmas celebration is called forth by this “room-for-all” passage from John? How will LGBT persons be included more fully in your liturgy and proclamation? As a transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual person, where do you see yourself in this new kind of Christmas?