Minister's Letter: December 2011

I Don't Believe It

Many people accuse the Church of pedalling myths at Christmas time. In my view the real festive fantasy has to be the one we see on relentless television adverts, presenting a rosy picture of doting parents and satisfied children enjoying a stressless celebration. The truth is that for far too many people Christmas isn't a happy time at all. It can be lonely, stressful, fraught, exhausting or unaffordable.

The reality at the heart of the Christmas story and season is much more credible than many would have us believe. A teenage girl becomes pregnant and seems set to be a single, unmarried mother. She is almost abandoned and then her husband-to-be has a change of heart and chooses to honour his commitment to care for her. Together they make a difficult journey in order to be registered for tax purposes by a foreign occupying power. They have nowhere to stay, until a pub landlord lets them use his cowshed. There Mary gives birth to a baby and there isn't a midwife, an epidural or clean sheets in sight.

The Christmas story is much closer to real life than those glossy commercials. It's about real people struggling with what life brings, and supporting one another through times of great challenge and hardship. And it's about the God who chooses to be with us in all our ups and downs, highs and lows, through Jesus, Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' May we celebrate Jesus this Christmas, who is with us always, and may we share him with others through our love and support.

Joy and peace be yours,

From the Link Magazine, December 2011 / January 2012