Friday, December 18, 2015

1 Peter 1:3-9 

The word that jumped out at me was "new". What is new this Christmas for me? My first thought was to think about a small child. Yes, Christmas for a child is coloured by the expectation of presents, Santa Claus and so on, but I remember my daughter telling me that as a small child she used to lie on the couch in the dark and look at the lights on the Christmas tree in joy and wonder. As she grew older she lost that.

Like her as we grow older do we lose that joy and wonder? As the passage continues, Peter talks about suffering various trials and our faith being perishable and "tested by fire". Christmas is no longer "new" for us. We bring to it all the hurts of Christmases long past, memories, good and bad. Each year we hear the familiar readings and sing our favourite carols.

So what will be new this Christmas? How can we "rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy"? Jesus was born in a stable in less than desirable circumstances, in fact in the midst of life. In all the hustle and bustle, the busy preparations, let us, with the shepherds take time to step aside for a few moments each day to look at the lights, to hear the angels, and give thanks for the joy and wonder as we celebrate anew the birth of Jesus.

Jean Gandon