Of course I’m talking about Jesus and our celebration of his birth. Obviously there will be Christmas decorations, Santa Claus and all the usual things that go on around this time of year; BUT it’s good to remember the reason we celebrate.
That baby born in such poor circumstances (a stable) to unmarried parents, who then had to travel to a foreign country (becoming immigrants) to avoid the baby being killed by a worried king, and couldn’t return to their home until that king had died. That baby was to grow up and become our saviour. He told us we could pray directly to God and even call him Abba (Father). He was then brutally killed around the age of 33 on a cross. But he rose from the dead and left us with a promise of eternal life. Not a bad legacy for such a life and what a gift.
At Christmas we will exchange gifts with those we love. In this we reflect God’s love for us in the love we have for our families and friends. Gift invites gift. Jesus gives us himself – what then is our response? I think of the words in Christina Rosetti’s poem ‘In the bleak mid winter’ usually sung as a Carol to the tune written by Gustav Holst:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
Enjoy Christmas and all the fun and festivities; but do spare a thought for the reason we are celebrating. Maybe by even coming to one of our services just to say THANK YOU for the greatest gift of all. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2022. God Bless,
Reverend Ken Waters
Parish Priest, Anglican Church of Paphos
