Here in England, Christmas comes at the time of year when there is least light and the days are at their shortest (although the shortest day itself has been and gone by the time Christmas Day arrives). We know how important and how comforting it is to see light shining in darkness.
For Christians, Christmas marks the gift of God’s own Son to this world, arriving as a tiny baby, as we do, but in the very strange surroundings of a stable with its dirt and smells and darkness. Into this darkness God brought light – in the form of that tiny baby, in the glory of angels and in the brightness of the star.
It has been a great joy this year to welcome children from Timothy Hackworth Primary School to Shildon Methodist Church for their Christmas presentations. In words and music, they brought the light and love and joy of Christmas to their audiences, whilst also noting that the world is far from perfect.
As Christmas Eve draws to a close and Christmas Day arrives, many people around the world focus upon Bethlehem, where it all began some 2000 years ago. Many Christmas cards will show Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger, surrounded by visitors – shepherd and wise men, with angels looking on and the scene lit by a star.
Bethlehem itself is situated in the area now referred to as the West Bank in Israel, and our news bulletins are telling of terrible things happening throughout that country. Christians in Bethlehem are not exempt from these troubled times. They have decided that the lights that normally adorn the birth place of Jesus will remain unlit, in memory of those who have been killed.
We cannot imagine what it must be like there, but in the light and joy of our Christmas celebrations, I would invite you to pause, and reflect and hope and pray for peace on earth and goodwill to all, the message of the first Christmas. Let there be peace on earth and may it begin with me and you.
I wish each of you God’s blessings for Christmas. May your Christmas be happy and healthy, filled with love, light, peace and joy, and thanksgiving for God’s gift of Jesus.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
