Dear All
Happy Christmas!
We had a very small gathering for our Christmas Eucharist this morning – sadly, reflective of the times we are in.
However, the celebration of this most holy festival was very special. Laura sang beautifully enhancing the music, liturgy and sacrament. Together we were able to celebrate the birth of Christ and remind ourselves that even in these difficult and dark times he is the light in our world.
I have sent a YouTube recording of the service separately.
Unless the rules change there will be a service of Holy Communion in Sunday at 10am.
Many Christmas blessings to you all
Ax
Christmas Day 2020 St Andrew’s Milngavie
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-15
There is only one thing that has dominated our news this year and you all know what that is! It entered our lives unseen, uninvited and certainly unwanted. It has become central to all we do, dominating and informing our freedom, daily routines and habits. It’s even effected our Christmas with plans having to be changed or shelved at the last minute.
It has been a challenging year for all of us and for some extremely difficult: many have lived in fear; of the virus, of other health issues, of losing employment, loss of income, fear of ones loved ones, fear of isolation and fear of loneliness. The list goes on…….fear at its core……….
“Do not be afraid” is a phrase we hear many times in the Christmas story We hear it in Matthew’s gospel as the angel appears to Joseph after Mary is found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
“Joseph son of David do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”. Matt 1 20
In Luke’s gospel an angel also appears to Zachariah as he was serving as a priest, filling him with fear, but the angel assures Zachariah bringing him great news.
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John”. Luke 1 13
And then in the well-known words of The Annunciation, the angel appears to Mary with even more astonishing news, filling her also with terror. “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1 30 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1 37
When the angel appears to the shepherds minding their flocks in the fields they too were overcome with fear, sore afraid we are told in the King James version. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”. Luke 2 10
Fear is part of our human condition. It is natural to feel fear and in an imperfect world there is plenty to be fearful of. But God understands our fear, the angels, Gods messengers, also understood it
“Do not be afraid” they said, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Into a fearful world God arrived as a small infant. He would grow up to be the most significant person the world has ever known. In his earthly life he brought hope and happiness to many. He looked for the good in all. He taught us to love and to forgive – to turn the other cheek. He gave selflessly of himself and finally died for us. But through his resurrection from death he gave us hope – a hope for a life with God always. A life beyond ourselves – beyond our understanding.
Perfect love casts away fear and God’s love manifested in Christ himself – is perfect.
“Fear not, Mary” said the angel “for I bring you tidings of great joy”
So, let us banish our fears, difficult though that might seem, and look beyond ourselves to embrace this joy.
And what a joy it is!
Amen