Reading Philippians 2.5-11 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Reflection Jesus’ story begins not at the top but at the bottom, down in the stable of our ordinary lives. It begins with those poor, itinerant shepherds becoming the first witnesses of his birth. I once asked a group of homeless refugees who had most helped them to find safety. They each told stories of acts of human friendship and kindness. Then one of them simply said, “I was ashamed to tell my family and friends I was homeless or for them to see me like this. There was one person who helped me – Jesus. Jesus never deserted me. The worse it gets, the closer he is to me.” The group fell silent. We all realised that what we were listening to was the truth, a truth which changes lives: the upward gravity of Jesus’ love. I wonder... Whether the people you admire most have in some way emptied themselves? What you might need to let go of? What you might need to take up? Lord, when we are lost, find us. When we turn away, call us back. When we are empty, fill us with your Spirit. Amen.
Reading Luke 2.8-20 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Reflection It’s so easy to be consumed by fear. We are living with huge uncertainties. We are rightly anxious about the planet, the cost of living, the NHS, care for the elderly … the list is endless. Yet all the way through the Gospels, Jesus constantly calls us to have courage: “Do not be afraid.” Jesus does not offer us a path of condemnation, blame and curse. Rather, he invites us to embrace a blessing. This begins with the realisation of our own poverty, and the failure of pride, greed, covetousness or violence to bring happiness. The homeless shepherds become the first witnesses of good news. Perhaps it is because they are clinging to less that they have the room to see salvation, and the humility to go to Bethlehem and rejoice in Christ’s presence. I wonder... What you fear most? How you overcome your fear? When you have been surprised by God’s grace? Lord Jesus, deliver us from all fear and give us the humility we need to hear the angels and to echo their song of peace and goodwill to all. Amen.
Lord, as we enter into the stillness where you are found, dwell in our hearts and at the heart of your world. AmenHow silently the wondrous gift is givenAfter the drama of a birth comes a moment of calm. Amidst the struggles of the world, at the centre of Christmas we find intimacy and peace: Jesus, held – and holding.Reading1 Kings 19.11-12The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ReflectionWe can become so busy preparing for Christmas that it’s over long before the food is finished or torn wrapping paper cleared. And have we had time to be present to the most important guest of all – Jesus, the heavenly guest whose arrival on earth our Christmas celebrations mark?Think of a guest who leaves you feeling heard, healed, replenished. My grandmother used to be like that – there for us. At the centre. The still centre. Often busy at the sink washing up or peeling potatoes – but always listening. It is only when such a guest leaves or passes on that you long for them to return. It’s in their attentiveness that you realise you are loved.Try today to make space to be attentive – to someone who needs to be heard, to the wonder of creation, to God’s still, small voice.I wonder...When you have experienced God’s presence? Where you feel closest to God? What God might say when you really listen?Lord, as we enter into the stillness where you are found, dwell in our hearts and at the heart of your world. Amen.
"Joy to the world! The Lord is come." John 1:1-14He came down to earth from heavenJoy to the world! The Lord is comeJesus enters the world as a child. Innocent, homeless, vulnerable, gulping for air. He depends on us – and our whole lives depend on him.ReadingJohn 1.1-14In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ReflectionAn artist once told me that when she first held her baby she was filled with incredible awe. Awe. Wonder. Astonishment. Holy fear.“All my life,” she said, “I have been learning to do things, to read, to write, to study at college to be an artist. Now suddenly here I am, holding a vulnerable life – a child who is totally dependent on me … and I realise no one has taught me to do this. And I feel this overwhelming protective love that I know instinctively I would give my life for."“My friends ask me if I will still have time to paint. But here I am holding the greatest work of living art in my own hands. And for the first time I know in my heart what unconditional love means.”I wonder...If you have ever experienced unconditional love? Where in your life you might see God’s glory? How the Word becoming flesh might change you?Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to love as you love, unconditionally. Let me hold you, Jesus, as you also hold me. Let your Word become flesh in me. And help me to see your presence in all things. Amen.
