Christmas

Readings:

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 1:1-14

We've lived through Advent with split personalities. Half our attention has been drawn by the advertsiers and shopkeepers. The other half of our attention has been "waiting" for the coming of God's Kingdom - the coming of Christ.

Both Luke and John draw attention to this split in our lives. Luke refers to the census of the emperor wich took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem to be counted. (We still complain in our own day that we are jus a number). It really is a story to symbolise Caesar's power - he has the power to count the people, asif they are his possession - pawns in he political gain. John's Christmas story doesn't have these historical references. He simply offers "darkness" as the bckground of the story.

For Luke - there's born another one - one extra for Caeser's count. He is identified by the angels as the one they had all been waiting for. Hope had been kept alive, and now was realised.

For John - there is simply te truth that "the light shines in te darkness"

This is Carezo Barredo's weekly

gospel illustration

The light shines in the darkness.

Many people get frozen out of Christmas. Those who are poor or alone seem to be excluded from Christmas. Yet the ligt shines in the darkness!

So, who can't sleep at night?

Those who worry and those who are afraid. Those who are in pain. Those who keep watch in our emergency services and hospitals. The light shines in the darkness.

Does this mean tht Gd is not a 9 till 5 God but one who works the night shift?

Of course, our usage of "darkness" and "night time" have never been restricted to a time of day. Night time and darkness are terms used to descrbe the really difficult times of our lives - when we've not been able to see a way or a future.

Light is a constant theme of our Christms decorations.

Christmas comes at the darkest part of the year.
We have Christmas lights on our trees and on our streets.
We have the Advent candle ceeremony.

Many a Christian name is linked to light.

Luke, Lucia, Lucy
Helen, Elaine, Eleanor, Ellen

Jesus made our nighttime,

as he made our winter, his.

Night, like winter, befits his coming. The light shines in the darkness.

John Pridmore

While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

He comes to us as sparkling light; twinkling with joy and playfulness.
He comes to us as everyday light; brightening the ordinary world around us.
He comes to us as softened light: creating a gentle, healing space in the shadows.
He comes to us as a focused spotlight: bringing truth and justice into stark relief.

This is the Light of the world