In the Christmas Eve broadcast of Thought For The Day on BBC Radio Scotland, the Rev Philip Blackledge said “The year has been a noisy one. People seem to be angrier and more anxious, with louder voices drowning out the quiet, and the troubles of the world hemming us in. In his Screwtape Letters, CS Lewis called hell the “kingdom of noise” and you kind of get where he’s coming from.
“But there’s a moment in church at Christmas when I will look upon our crib scene, and see that helpless child, born into terrible poverty, and ignored by all the people who were warm and safe in their homes in Bethlehem. In a way it’s a tragic scene but it’s also beautiful.
“The all-powerful God, is a helpless child. That’s the power of the story. God is powerful not because of him, but because of our compassion. When we see a helpless child we want to help, and when we act on that compassion, miracles happen.
“Today amid the war and strife and troubles, there are people feeding the hungry, inviting the homeless into their homes, money will be given to those charities who will heal the sick and give sight to the blind. Those are miracles which are happening today, because people feel that pull of compassion, and want to help.
“Somewhere in the world right now there is, violence and anger, but somewhere too there is kindness, miracles worked, lives saved. And as long as there is love and compassion, that means everywhere, there is hope.”
Today the 27 December is the day the Church remembers St John. John’s prologue to his Gospel sums up the Christ event. Despite everything there is light and despite everything the glory of God can be seen. Thank God!
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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