New Year’s Day 2023 St Andrew’s Milngavie
Dear All
Happy New Year to you all.
A small group of us gathered this morning to celebrate the first Eucharist of 2023. Boyed up by Hugh’s playing we were in good voice and did justice to our Christmas music.
This Week
Tuesday – There will be no Prayer Group this week
Thursday 10am – Said Eucharist followed by coffee in Friendship House
Readings for next Sunday – Epiphany – Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matt 2:1- 12
Todays Readings – Matt 2:13-end Hebrews 2:10-end Isaiah 63:7-9
Monday was the feast of Saint Stephen. It always lands on Boxing Day and so overshadowed by Christmas Day it is rarely given its full justice as a saint’s day. However, I always like to acknowledge it simply because for us Stephen is a household name, he was also a significant saint.
Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons of the Christian Church. He was the first Christian martyr and is believed to have been a Greek Jew who converted to Christianity.
In the early church when the number of disciples increased, there was much confusion over the distribution of alms and the serving of the poor. Stephen’s trustworthy character was remarkable, and he was chosen as one of the seven deacons who would perform this task.
An excellent and well trusted orator, his preaching style was so effective that many Jews became worried about his success. They accused him of blasphemy and he was made to stand trial.
At the supreme Jewish law court, the Sanhedrin, Stephen presents his view of the history of Israel in the whole of chapter seven of Acts. This angered the crowd, and he was dragged out onto the streets. He was then stoned to death according to the law at that time, an event witnessed by St Paul. It is believed this happened around the year 34 AD.
How does all this sit with the Christmas story, which we continue to celebrate today?
When we think of Christ’s story, we know the ending and we know it very well. And we know with all its twists and turns it is a happy one. The anticipation of Christmas is followed by the joy and drama of Easter.
But we equally know that between the nativity and the resurrection, not all was good and makes for happy reading.
Today’s gospel story, the story of the holy innocents is a challenging and difficult story. It is in stark contrast to all the other nativity scenes which speak of hope and joy – the angels with their glad tidings, the shepherds and wise men visiting the crib. And then we have the story of Candlemas – Simeon and Anna waiting in the temple day in day out to see the Son of God, being filled with joy and hope at the sight of the child with Mary and joseph.
“Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation…….” Simeon says with wonderment.
The lectionary which selects the readings each Sunday has a habit of missing out the difficult and awkward passages but this one describing the flight of Joseph and Mary, fleeing from different countries in fear of their own lives unable to settle in their own country, seeking a place of safety, speaks to us today as we think of refugees in our own time
And perhaps that is why it is included.
After the great joy and the celebration Christmas day we are immediately brought back to reality but Christ’s ministry did reflect reality. It wasn’t sugar coated, in the incarnation, God became one of us and lived an earthly life as we do experiencing the trials and tribulations, joys and excitements -the bitter sweet of earthly existence.
Through Jesus’ teaching and his message of love and forgiveness, through the miracles he performed, the healing and wholeness he brought to so many he created such joy and hope, thousan s crowded rounded to hear him speak but this was countered by his death and passion, his unlawful and brutal killing.
But being the Christian story, death was not the end, Jesus rose to new life, and this underpins our earthly stories.
For Christ brings salvation to us – our lives may be bittersweet, our paths may not always be smooth. We do not know what the future holds but through a faith Christ we do know who holds the key to salvation.
So, this new year may we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ and the great hope and joy which that brings to us.