Tag Archives: Christmas

Christmas 2024

Have you ever thought about the title for Jesus, ‘Emmanuel’? Really thought about it? You probably know it means ‘God with us’. Every Advent and Christmas we hear that title used – because it is always true. God with us in the human form of Jesus during his earthly existence and God with us always.

There is a version of Christian faith that says that God is in heaven but not on Earth. Thus Christmas is a reminder that God was with us – but isn’t anymore. This is an impoverished and incorrect notion.

If we return to our fundamentals, we believe that God is love (1 John 4:8). So God is present in every form of love in the world, sustaining us, as we sustain each other, through love. Likewise, we believe in God as Trinity – a mutual indwelling of love of the Father, Son and Spirit. Thus God is relationship. We are told we are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26). This explains why we need relationships to be happy and whole. So we are constantly in God and God is constantly with us. Then there is the mind-blowing idea that God is present in everything, all creation, lovingly bringing it all to fullness.

There may be times when God feels far away. That is our perception. It is like pulling the blinds down on a sunny day – the sun is still present. Thus Christmas is a reminder that God is always present. With all that is going on in the world, could there be a more timely Christmas gift – that God is with us?

God with us

Sun streaming

Cloudless blue sky

Gentle breeze

Feeling buoyed

Dog paddles at the beach

Back and forth

Tail wagging furiously

Fishing?

Neighbour’s quiet smile

Hugging a family member

Wind buffeting windows and fences

Rain hammering against the roof

Beauty of crystals

Wonder of rocks

with their ancient story

Cockatoo’s screeching heralds their presence

Music evoking joy, inspiration and connection

Family and friends connecting across the planet

An ant crossing the path

A night sky revealing a glimpse

of an infinite universe beyond us

The antics and love of a pet

Cuddling your spouse

Trees and shrubs sculpted

by prevailing winds

Friends capturing a moment 

through a photo

Flowers in their varied glory

and simple perfection

A sun powering everything

The list goes on and on

Love

God

Everywhere

In everything

With us

Always 

A reflective moment at Christmas

A friend of mine writes of his Christmas experience in a European village:

“The first thing that struck me when we arrived at the church was the sight of hundreds of candles in the cemetery, it seemed like every grave had one. The families were there too, remembering their loved ones. Then the bells started ringing, the signal that the service was about to begin.

The minister, the female minister, greeted every single person at the door. There were candles everywhere, and near the altar, a magnificent Christmas tree with real candles, quite a sight to behold. When the bells stopped ringing, the minister sat with the congregation and the organist started playing. This was followed by ‘Away in a manger’. The mood was very contemplative, the atmosphere very intimate, it was like being on a retreat.

There were three guests who sat at the altar, a midwife, a mother and an animal keeper, and all 3 talked about birth, about nurturing new life. The minister also spoke and linked what they said to Christ’s birth. She concluded by telling the congregation that they should be filled with hope, that they should nourish their dreams, their ideas, and that they shouldn’t be afraid of taking risks to make them come true. This was followed by one of the most beautiful versions of ‘Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht’ (Silent Night, Holy Night) I’d ever heard. Then we all said The Lord’s Prayer. It was such a simple, moving meditation, I think you would have been touched by the sincerity. I know my mum would have loved the beautiful voices of the choir.”

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Educating for the Lived Gospel #152

“A guru asked his disciples how they could tell when the night had ended and day begun. One said, ‘When you see an animal in the distance and can tell whether it is a cow or a horse.’ ‘No’, said the guru. ‘When you look at a tree in the distance and can tell if it is a neem tree or a mango tree.’ ‘Wrong again’, said the guru. ‘Well, then, what is it?’ asked the disciples.

‘When you look into the face of any man and recognise your brother in him: when you look into the face of any woman and recognise in her your sister. If you cannot do this, no matter what time it is by the sun it is still night.” (Prayer of the Frog, Anthony de Mello, p227).

At Christmas, we celebrate Emmanuel, God-with-us. How can we recognise God with us if ‘it is still night’? As I look around today, I see those whose lives are lived in the light – who recognise each person as their sister or brother. I also see those whose lives are more in shadow. Christmas reminds us that all is not as it should be. However, Christmas also reminds us where we are headed and God’s grace will guide us.

Young people sense this bright vision of God-with-us, where each person is our sister or brother. It is what motivates them in all of their efforts towards social justice. Our role is to ensure they clearly see the origin of that vision – the source of all good, God.

Wishing you a great week and a great holiday. May you be showered with peace and love at Christmas and may that bright vision be your guide throughout 2015
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #151

“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” (Mark 1:3)

Advent could be likened to a time of spiritual ‘spring cleaning’. Like our homes, where it is easy to leave things lying around, similarly, it can be easy to get stuck in bad habits and obsessions. We can feel ‘in the dark’. To fully embrace the joy of God with us at Christmas, we need to be truly open to the people in our lives. We need to ‘take stock’ of ourselves and work on those parts of ourselves that hold us back from the full life to which the Christian is called.

It is easy to make the mistake that Christmas is about what you get. In fact the happiness of Christmas lies in what you give. Our young people know about the preparations for Christmas – trees, decorations, cooking. Advent allows us to prepare for God with us. By the inner work of reflection and prayer, we can encourage young people to be most ready to be in relationship with others. Their happiness lies in what they give – primarily of themselves. ‘For it is in giving that we receive…’

Have a great week!
Patrick

Christmas 2013

“You must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven”

This is never more true at Christmas. Children ‘get’ Christmas in ways from which some of us could learn. They are open to the joy, open to the wonder, open to all around them. Such openness brings closer God’s reign. They are a reflection of God-with-us. Surely that is what Christmas is about!

Educating for the Lived Gospel #117

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

This Christmas story is very low key. The Saviour is born, but in very humble circumstances. The adult Jesus champions the poor and outcast and is himself born on the outer. For us, Christmas is about family. Yet, this Christmas, how will we follow Jesus’ example and go out to those in need around us? Jesus is born in a feeding trough. This Christmas, how will we follow Jesus’ example and feed others?
Young people can mistake Christmas as a time of ‘getting’ or ‘having’. We need to help them turn toward others, rather than focus on themselves. What can they give – especially to those in need? Who can they feed – physically or metaphorically?
Have a great week!
Patrick