St Johns with St Barnabas

Have you noticed, it’s December and suddenly the world is full of signs? Well, to be truthful, they have been here for quite a while, but come December it goes up a notch. Lights twinkle on houses, shop windows glow with red and gold. There are decorated Christmas trees in the streets, Father Christmases with bulging sacks of presents, everywhere signs. But I must confess I have been really captivated by the singing reindeer often found in garden centres - I usually have to be prised away from them. But I digress. What are all these signs pointing too?

​

For some, Christmas means family and food, a brief pause in a busy year; for others it’s tinged with sadness, someone missing from the table. And for many, the story of a baby in a manger sits like a beautiful memory, familiar, comforting, but perhaps a little distant.

The Gospel of John doesn’t give us Shepherds or Angels - instead it says, ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’. In other words, God moved into the neighbourhood. He came down to be with us, in our mess, our hopes and our homes.

​

So as we look at the signs of Christmas, the lights, the gifts, the gatherings, we are reminded that Jesus is the light of the world. The gifts echo the greatest gift of all, God’s love freely given. The gatherings remind us of a kingdom where everyone has a place at the table.

​

But Christmas isn’t only about recognising those signs; it’s about responding to them. The question is not just ‘Can I see Christmas?’ but ‘can I welcome Christ?’

​

We might ask ourselves, where do I see Christ’s light shining here?

​

How could I share a little of his warmth with someone else?

​

The real miracle of Christmas is that Christ doesn’t only appear in a manger,

he still appears in us.

​

A Christmas prayer

Lord Jesus, you came among us, not in power or splendour, but in warmth, in weakness and love.

You were born into an ordinary place, so that every place might hold your presence.

Be born in us again this Christmas. Shine through our kindness, speak through our words, move through our hands.

Where we bring light, may it be your light. Where we offer comfort, may it be your peace. Where we share joy, may it be your joy in abundance.

Let every small act of love be a sign that you still dwell among us - Emmanuel, God with us and God within us.

​

I wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas.