23rd December 2024

Each December as Christmas Day approaches, I am transported back to my childhood and the many fond memories of how this wonderful time of year was spent. I was blessed with it being full of anticipation and joy within a loving family unit, but I appreciate this may not have been the same for everyone. The build up to this time of year would involve carol concerts, probably a re-enactment of the nativity scene, and other events based on the biblical story, and as a pupil in senior school I would walk reverently within the grounds of Rochester Cathedral for our family service. As children, Christmas had truly arrived once we had obtained our tree and putting up the decorations was fun even when they sometimes broke and poor mum had to start again! When the big day finally arrived, Dad would always take my sister and me out for a walk allowing my mother to quietly prepare the lunch whilst also enjoying a sip of sherry. My Christmas ‘past’ truly was a beautiful time of year and the purpose of it felt absolutely real.

So how does that compare to my Christmas ‘present’? Sadly commercialism has taken over almost completely and it is hard at times not to get caught up a little in all the hype that is going on. People are having fun and we want to share in that a little but with God’s help we can also reflect on his true purpose at this time of year with greater understanding.

Television has a big part to play too but often in a negative way as it always depicts big families sitting around large tables enjoying their lunch together, but it is just the opposite for many in a world where poverty and loneliness are rife. For those of us who may be having a quieter Christmas, maybe with one other person or totally on their own, we need to remember  “Immanuel” in the header scripture above. The apostle Matthew refers to this scripture when he writes, ‘All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means 

“God with us”). (Matthew 1: 22-23). He is with us whatever our situation, no one is ever alone.

No more than two years ago, on Christmas Eve, I went on one of my favourite walks.  It took me to the foot of the Downs where there has always been a field of sheep, and I could think of no better way than to be there and reflect on the shepherds who tended their flocks and were given the good news of Jesus’s birth: ‘…the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid . I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

We have been blessed by God with the wonderful gift of imagination, and every Christmas Eve, as I go to bed, I look up at the sky from my bedroom window and try to visualise the bright and hopeful star that was given to us all on that incredible night many years ago. How I wish I could have been there! Jesus refers to himself as being ‘the light’: ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). This light shines in the lives of all God’s people and can never be extinguished. Whatever your situation, I hope you feel the warmth from that light this Christmas.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church