Thoughts for the Day

O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
has gained him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
at the presence of the Lord,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the people with equity.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Bible)

Thoughts

This Christmas I've been noticing trends in the UK on our television: the word 'Santa' seems to have taken over from 'Father Christmas' which I certainly grew up to say; the Christmas tree seems to have taken over as the symbol of a Christian Christmas; and then there is the lack of any mention of God or the birth of Jesus at this time of the year..

If we look back at this season we see that by the Middle Ages, Christians were celebrating the remarkable event of Jesus’ birth with an extended season that began with Advent and continued for the twelve days after Christmas until Epiphany on January 6th. Before Christmas was a solemn time of fasting, whereas after Christmas was a time of celebration. Christians looked forward to the Midnight Mass of Christmas Eve with great anticipation, because it was the service that marked the transition from fasting to feasting. This service, known as “Christ’s Mass,” eventually became a description for celebrations of Jesus’ birth throughout the world. The word Christmas means “Christ’s Mass.”

Psalm 89 reminds us that God was to break into our human history by taking a risk, and giving us His Son to reconnect with us. We need to take a risk too, to help reconnect our world with the message of Christmas which is one of Peace and Reconciliation, and help to spread that message to our family, friends, and neighbours at this time of the year.

Father-God,
we thank You
that You remembered Your people,
and that You broke into our world
all those years ago to send Your Son
to be born as a baby in Bethlehem.
We thank You that You took a risk,
and we ask Your help in helping us to take
a risk to pass on this New Year
Your message of Peace and Reconciliation.
Amen.