Readings:
2 Samuel 7: 1-11; 16;
Romans 16:25-end;
Luke 1: 26-38

Collect:
Eternal God,
as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,
So we wait for his coming in glory;
Bring us through the birth pangs of this present age
To see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection 

As we come to the end of an extraordinary year where our lives have been dramatically changed, I guess we are full of mixed emotions. There will be the desire to see the back of 2020 and the hope that 2021 will enable us to meet friends and family without fear and restrictions. There will be a heavy heart for things that we have missed - the hug of a loved one, the family celebrations, coffees with friends and the empty seat around the table.  We have all faced challenges and heartbreak, the world has seen pretty dark, despite the exceptional sunshine we had during the spring and summer. Yet throughout this year, there have been signs of hope, moments when people came together to clap for the keyworkers, to care for their neighbour and to share a smile with strangers when they were out for a walk.

The signs of hope didn’t just stop there. All across the world there were people carrying out small acts of kindness that didn’t make the news.  Then there were the amazing skills of the scientists who have developed a vaccine in record breaking time. Away from the pandemic there was the recognition that people shouldn’t be treated differently because of the colour of their skin with the Black Lives Matter movement challenging the racism that is prevalent within society and institutions. The debate moved beyond just colour but challenged us to think about our own prejudices – whether that be gender, sexuality, race or belief.  

This hope is at the heart of the Christmas message and despite the restrictions, or maybe because of the restrictions, this message is more important this year.  All the familiar readings of Christmas talk of the hope of God coming to be with us.  There’s that wonderful reading we traditionally have at the end of the 9 lessons and carols from John’s gospel speaks of the light shining in the darkness.  The light came and dwelt amongst us and we have seen his glory.

As the Angels encouraged the Shepherds to go and see that the word had indeed become flesh bringing peace and goodwill to all people, so we too are encouraged to come and see.  In this smaller, simpler Christmas to see the reality that God came to earth and dwells amongst us, shining a light in our darkness and bringing hope for a better future.  And as the Shepherds returned to their fields, they shared the Good News of what they had seen and experienced.  So, we to are encouraged to share the Good News, to shine our lights in the world, to help heal divisions and bring peace and harmony to our communities.  

As we step into this New Year let us do so in the knowledge that God is with us.  Let us be filled a fresh with the joy of knowing the Christ child, let us embody the strength of Mary to carry the burden., let us find the courage of Joseph to trust in God doing our part to help build a better world and may we know the joy of the Shepherds, Magi and the Angels as we share the Good News far and wide.

Wishing you all love, joy and peace this Christmas and throughout the coming year, from all of the Team.

Mike Morris