Weekly Notices
click here

Reflection, a thought for the month

Christmas 2010

December 1st, 2010

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21

I remember hearing about a performance of a nativity play which didn’t go quite according to plan. Excited parents and nervous children had filled the school hall. Tea-towel head-dresses, cuddly toy sheep and cardboard crowns were all in place. Mary, Joseph and donkey (back and front halves) had been duly gathered together and had set off on their long and difficult journey from Nazareth. On arrival at Bethlehem they sought out the first likely looking accommodation, and were greeted by a very bright and cheery inn-keeper. “You’re very welcome”, he beamed, “Come on in, we have plenty of room!” Whether due to lack of rehearsal, or simply a mischievous spirit, this served to ruin the story. The change in plot provided an upset to the normal flow of events, and an embarrassment to the doting parents.

As Christmas approaches, many people will be looking towards a ritual, an occasion which is expected to follow a time-honoured pattern. Jesus has a place in this tapestry, but often only the place which people are prepared give him. We frequently hear complaints that Christmas has become too commercial, too secular. The story of Jesus still seems to be acceptable at Christmas, but only if taken as part of the whole package. Think of the crib scenes in shop windows, the traditional carols from King’s College chapel, the cards with endless variations of donkey, manger, star and camel. These things are all welcome, so long as they take their place alongside the tinsel, the crackers and the turkey.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, is for many people the overriding face of Christianity. But how many other world leaders or notable citizens are commemorated by pictures of them when they were only a few days old? Think of any great person, from any period of history – they are remembered in paintings, statues or memorials which portray them at the height of their careers. Jesus was born at Bethlehem, but he didn’t remain there, and he didn’t remain a baby. The day of his birth marked the beginning of a process. Events were to unfold which would deeply affect all those who followed him. Like a stone dropped into a calm pond, his birth created ripples which have spread out through time.

At that first Christmas, God broke into our ordered world. Mary was greatly troubled by the arrival of the angel Gabriel. The shepherds, Luke tells us, were terrified at the appearance of the heavenly host. Herod and the religious rulers of Jerusalem were disturbed by the birth of one who was proclaimed as a political and religious rival. This was not a comfortable event. It was one which upset protocol, embarrassed leaders and caused a stir among the people.

How will Jesus affect your Christmas? Is he to be ranked alongside the mince pies and decorations, just another of the trappings of the season? Does he fit quietly into the established pattern, to be un-wrapped along with the tree decorations, and then put away, forgotten for another year? This year, let Christmas be the time when Jesus not only comes into your home, but also stays there. Let him come and disrupt your Christmas. The birth of the Messiah is more than a classic picture on the front a Christmas card.

It is the most revolutionary event which our world has ever experienced.

Anthony.

 

-

 

Back to reflections list