Sermon Cloud

There is a certain magic to the celebration of Christmas. After all the hustle and bustle is over, people of faith stop to pray because we recognize that when all is said and done, the events which Christmas celebrates have very little to do with the gifts that are exchanged. Christmas is about belonging and there's something comforting about the traditions we partake in with family and friends at this time of year because we are called back to the basics of sharing good food, gathering around the table, perpetuating the customs which have been part of our experience of Christmas since early childhood, or perhaps creating new traditions with those we love.

The global nature of our world has also opened our eyes to the joys and struggles of humanity in places much beyond our own circumstances. In a real way, we not only identify with our own biological and even adopted families at this time of year, but also with the whole family of mankind. Technology allows us to know that the majority of people in our world suffer because of war, famine, desease and other circumstances well beyond their control. All the more reason why we should be thankful for all the blessings we have received.

The readings and liturgy of Christmas eve tell us the story of Joseph and Mary who set out for Bethlehem, the home of Joseph's ancestors, highlighting the importance for all of us of belonging to a family and of identifying with a certain place we call home. This human need to belong is something that goes back in our history well beyond the time of Jesus, but we also belong to the famly of God, as is highlighted for us in the reading from the gospel of John which is used for the liturgy of Christmas day.

Because we are members of God's family, we are all called to reach out to one another in this season of joy, to bring the light of Christ to those who still live in the darkness of despair and lonliness, to proclaim the love of Christ to those who are lonely, to announce a time of glad tidings to those who still seek a place to call home, and to assure all people that they do not face the struggles of life alone.

Although society has been celebrating Christmas since early October, the Church has only begun to celebrate this time of grace, and the Christmas season will last for fifteen days this year, ending with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 8.

During this Christmas Season, let us all praise God for the gift of our Saviour, born in time to bring us the good news of the Father's love, and let us sing with the angels, the song of joy, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those who enjoy God's favour!" ( Luke 2:14)

Merry Christmas!