A small child from Burundi enjoys the Christmas message |
‘In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour’.’
This account we hear in the Gospel of St Luke announces the birth of the One long promised and foretold, the One who was to rule over the whole world, who was to be called, ‘Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.’
But he was not born in a palace among the dignitaries and influential people of his day, he was born in a stable with animals to observe his birth, and his first visitors were those who were little more than outcasts, the shepherds. True, he was visited by the Kings, or the Wise Men, but he was first made known to the poor and lowly. And this was to be the pattern of his adult life. He sought out those who were outcasts, rejected by society, the poor and lowly. His message of God’s love for all his people, in spite of their sinfulness, was proclaimed to all people irrespective of their rank or position. For this message he was rejected by many who should have welcomed him, he was deserted by his friends when things got tough, and suffered the pain of crucifixion, and death. Mary who held her Son in her arms as a baby, held Him in her arms after he was taken down from the cross. This is the reality of the feast we celebrate today: God’s love for His people is unconditional even to allowing the death of His Son. The separation caused by Adam’s sin is overcome through the death and resurrection of Jesus and we are reconciled with the Father.
But the story does not end there. Before His ascension Jesus instructed his disciples: ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.’
Christmas Day is not a day to be taken in isolation, it is only the beginning of the task given to all of us: to spread the message of God’s love to all nations. We pray for all those who go forth in our name to share that message. May God bless their work and bring it to fulfilment.
A Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas to you all.
Deacon Bill Ball
DD APF Liverpool
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