“Come, thou long- expected Jesus........” is the opening line of one of Charles Wesley’s most wonderful hymns, which I’m sure we’ll all be singing at some point during the season of Advent. Unlike the people of Israel however we haven’t had to wait for the arrival of the Messiah, but this year time doesn’t seem to have flown by as it usually does between one Christmas and the next, so the “waiting” to celebrate again and afresh the birth of Jesus seems, at least to me, more real. Quite why this should be I’m not really sure – but it has been very good to really get into the Church’s seasons and festivals during the course of the last year, and now to be entering the season of Advent, so full of hope and expectation and promise.
And our world is in such need of hope and expectation and the promise of peace – and not only to the people of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza – but to all those who are struggling to make ends meet, struggling with mental health problems, homelessness and addictions and so on...............the list could go on and on. It is our real and profound joy to be able to give thanks for and celebrate again the birth of the Christ Child this Christmas, but it is also our duty and responsibility to remember the circumstances of that birth – a people under occupation, temporary homelessness, danger and exile – and to reflect on this in the light of circumstances in our 21st century and world. We do this of course in different ways – in prayer and worship, in study and in fellowship one with another, in fund and awareness raising – always mindful of the innocence and vulnerability of that baby in the manger over two millennia ago, that “long expected Jesus.”
As I write, the General Synod of the Church of England is meeting and is engaged with many issues, including the preparation of pastoral guidance and prayers for the blessing of the marriages of same sex couples and our care of the environment – and I hope and pray that we will be able to engage and help with these, and other pressing issues - all part of our world and our worldview which has, of course, changed so very much over the last two millennia. But what has not changed is God’s love for us, demonstrated so profoundly and joyously in the birth of Jesus, or God’s calling on all of our lives, to love God and our neighbour and to make the best use of our gifts and talents in God’s service.
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come......” by Isaac Watts (a distant relative of mine, as it happens!) is the opening line to one of our most loved Christmas Carols, which we certainly will be singing this Christmastide, and, with Handel’s wonderful music, gives full expression to the wonder and joy that is so much a part of our preparations for and celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, in which we all can and should rejoice.
On behalf of the Ministry Team may I wish everyone a very happy, peaceful and blessed Christmas, and may the joy of the infant in the manger be with us all this Christmas, and always.
Happy Christmas!
The Revd Alec Brown.