My Christmas Eve sermon this year began with a story about my grandmother’s heritage.
Just two weeks ago something happened that helped me to see my grandmother more clearly
I found an old book that I did not recall seeing before. It was this book, Come Ye Apart, a daily devotional reading with Bible verse and reflection. I opened the cover and found these words:
“1st PRIZE FOR MEMORIZING THE 6th Chapter of John’s gospel”!
I knew something about my grandmother before finding her book. But in finding her book, I saw my grandmother more clearly, more wonderfully, than ever before!
And the date the prize was given? – 24/12/11 – 100 years ago today!
My heart jumped with joy when I read this and then I cried tears of love and thankfulness for my grandmother and this gift to me. A heritage passed on to me a century after my grandmother had gained it by memorizing Chapter 6 of John’s gospel account. Praise the Lord!
Something had happened that helped me to see more clearly.
WHAT DO WE SEE AT CHRISTMAS?
We see something we could never see ourselves – we see God
Imagine this Cathedral in darkness – Just like at the beginning of this midnight service. And then the lights came on and we saw more clearly.
AT BETHLEM SOMETHING HAPPENED.
What do we see?
– WE SEE GOD.
We see God connecting with us – God living among us
At Christmas God came down and lived among us.
At Bethlehem, we see God more clearly than before.
– WE SEE OURSELVES
Firstly, as what we are now – broken people
Eg, my broken foot! – It is hard to walk at the moment
We as individuals and as a society are broken. We have something wrong with us. We are not as we should be. We are unhealthy. We need help.
Secondly, we see more clearly what we might be in Christ
We see that we are loved. God loves all people, of all ages, religions and races. All people are one. We are all of one blood. Every perrson is of worth to God. We are not a randomn piece of space junk slowly diminishing on an aimless journey through a darkening universe.
A healed people: healed from our rebellion against God, forgiven by God; and
A forgiving people – forgiving others as we have been forgiven.
A compassionate, hospitable, welcoming and generous people; accepting people who are rejected by others.
SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED
When I found my grandmother’s book my heart jumped with joy – this was precious.
At Christmas, has your heart jumped with joy at seeing more of God?
How have you responded to seeing more of God?
PS As I was farewelling worshippers following the midnight service at the Cathedral, Millie told me that she has the same devotional book, Come Ye Apart, as my grandmother. Also its companion book which Millie is using to this day. God is good. God’s people are a terrific mob!
