Christmas Eve message
On this night, we listen to the stories and sing the hymns, but we don’t just sing the melody; we absorb the spirit of the song. We let each word of the songs speak to us, to our hearts. These songs don’t just evaporate after each note; the words become the stars to guide us tonight. How about, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’?
(Sing) “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”
Do you remember the last line? Can we sing it together quietly?
“the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
(Just read) The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
These words help us to ponder the joy and struggles of both the Holy Family and our own lives.
“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight,” because we come from all different walks and stages and situations in our lives. Some of us are in the mood to celebrate. Some of us might be having a tough time.
I hope we can remember those who spend today with families who don’t know how to love them well. Let us remember them. In God’s sight of love, they are magnificent. If that’s any of you, remember that you are whole. You are loved by our God.
Remember in your heart those who are anxious and those who pray to be hopeful.
Some of us say that peace is not just the absence of war - it is the absence of fear. Let us remember those who are fearful. They can be family members, friends you know, or even yourself. Remember especially those in the world who can’t live a day without fear, without threat, without being hungry, without being terrified by the violence and death around them. Remember the children in Aleppo. Remember Palestine. Remember those there, and those who fled, building their lives in many lands, including ours.
Love may not be able to conquer all, but it can be a salve - not a bomb, but balm that can hold us together in our and humanity’s brokenness.
Jesus tells us a lot of times in the Bible, “Don’t be afraid.” But do not translate that to mean that we should live with zero fear. To attempt to live, clean of fear, vacuuming out fear and what can cause fear, means we might immobilize or freeze ourselves, unable to take the necessary journey of transformation and embrace the birthing of new hope, the surprise and gift of the future – the light that is on the other side of the most necessary journey of birthing.
Remember Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the angel came to Mary and said, “Greetings, favoured one.” she didn’t respond, “You’ve got the wrong one.” She Believed. She trusted. Mary really believed. She believed not just that she would become pregnant. If we only focus on the pregnancy as Mary’s role in the story, it’s unfortunate, because it leads us to evade the truth. We don’t remember Mary because she was pregnant. We don’t remember Mary because she’s a reminder to be obedient or a symbol of social revolution. No. We remember her because she reminds us of God’s favour. Mary believed that she was the favoured one. She believed, as told, that she’s the most loved one. That’s why Mary takes the journey that requires the courage to deal with fear. Mary believes, whatever happens, she will never be harmed. She will never be disgraced. Her fundamental self would be forever safe, solid in God. With God, she believes that she will be able to do what she needs to do, for God is Immanuel, God being with us.
Please ask, on this night, “What would our lives look like if we really believed? How would my life be different if I were not scared, if I really believe that I am fully and totally loved by God?”
Please also ask, “How is our Christmas Eve tonight nudging us to accept and re-embrace the courage that’s most needed – each act of bravery different for each of us?” And, “How would our lives be different if we humbly pray and ask God that our hopes and our fears are met in thee tonight?” You don’t need to try to become worthy of God’s love. Trust the love which is born tonight with your acceptance, and believe.
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