So the Advent reflections now turn into Christmas ones. I write this at the end of Christmas Day reflecting on what hit me as I led worship in two of my churches this morning.
I think as I reach Christmas this year the word that remains with me as I have shared the story in so many different contexts is wonder. I suggested in my sermon today that adults have lost wonder and almost enjoy predictability. I have been worried how tired church people are that putting on things to tell the story has caused stress. Children on the other hand will have lived wonder today. One of my folk told me this morning her grandchild was given a goalpost for Christmas. He was puzzled how it fit on Santa’s sleigh!
The Dean last night at the midnight service in the cathedral shared Betjeman’s thoughts on incarnation: “and is it true? The maker of the stars and sea became a child on earth for me?” John’s Gospel tells us “the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory.” And on Sunday we will sing Charles Wesley’s fabulous incarnational theology: “our God, contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man.” Wonder leads to worship.
I was glad to be able to lead a communion service this morning. It reminded me that the Christ child who came in vulnerability as one of us also had his body broken and blood shed to complete God’s work of saving his people from themselves which is what the name of Jesus means. While some ministers today will have led lively party worship I chose to be quieter and reflective so in my second service we sang the Methodist carol…
My senior steward at Allhallowgate said to me before our carol service “you haven’t picked my favourite carol!” I said “wait until Christmas Day!” I arrived at Allhallowgate and a lovely local preacher said “you’ve picked it!” And another person there said “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.” Methodist minister the Rev George Stringer Rowe sums up the implications for us of incarnation. His carol was written in 1879. No characters in the story are mentioned or details of birth just what it means. Wonder! For me not singing it on Christmas morning would leave things incomplete…
I’ve just watched the King’s Christmas broadcast. He called a Jesus’ coming a “pilgrimage with purpose.” Things have changed if only we take time to see it and wonder at it.
The Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nicholls was doing pause for thought on Kate Bottley’s radio show as I drove to Grewelthorpe this morning. He said we should only wish each other a merry Christmas once and have fun but merry doesn’t last whereas a happy Christmas in our heart can. So to those of you who are reading these things every day may you wonder a bit and as the carol says let’s pray at the end of this Christmas Day that there be a Christmas in our heart, heaven here and now. A bit of wonder and incredulity. Like how did Santa fit that goalpost on his sleigh!
Cradled in a manger, meanly,
Laid the Son of Man His head;
Sleeping His first earthly slumber
Where the oxen had been fed.
Happy were those shepherds listening
To the holy angel’s word;
Happy they within that stable
Worshipping their infant Lord.
Happy all who hear the message
Of His coming from above;
Happier still who hail His coming,
And with praises greet His love.
Blessèd Savior, Christ most holy,
In a manger Thou didst rest;
Canst Thou stoop again, yet lower,
And abide within my breast?
Evil things are there before Thee;
In the heart, where they have fed,
Wilt Thou pitifully enter,
Son of Man, and lay Thy head?
Enter, then, O Christ most holy;
Make a Christmas in my heart;
Make a heaven of my manger:
It is heaven where Thou art.
And to those who never listened
To the message of Thy birth,
Who have winter, but no Christmas
Bringing them Thy peace on earth,
Send to these the joyful tidings;
By all people, in each home,
Be there heard the Christmas anthem;
Praise to God, the Christ has come!
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