An Honest, Simple, Joyful Christmas

 Christmas Eve

An Honest, Simple, Joyful Christmas

Please be seated.

And let us listen once again to the story of Christmas.

The Honest, Simple and Joyful Story of Christmas. 

I like to read the story from my Grandmother’s Bible. 

As you know I caught my faith from her, because she loved to tell The Story, all the stories.

Christmas is honest. 

It happened at a particular time, as we read;

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) In history there is always an Emperor and a Governor doing what Emperors and Governors do. And there’s nothing more honest or real than death and taxes.

It happened in a particular place; “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; 

The story also makes clear that it happened in a specific family of a very important Genealogical line…to quote; “(Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”

And then there was a problematic birth.

Mary was “great with child” to tell you the truth. How that came to be is something of a mystery, but it involved a conversation with the Angel Gabriel and an “overshadowing” of the Holy Spirit.

Truthfully, Joseph had some doubts as we’re told in Matthew, and “being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, he resolved to divorce her quietly.” That’s a direct quote. Matthew 1:19. But the story continues; “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20.

Apparently Joseph believed what the angel told him in that dream and believed Mary and the Holy Family remained together then and forevermore, thanks be to God. And the Story goes on; “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

All of it has the ring of truth to it, honest to God.

Christmas is simple.

We read these words; “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” 

The Holy Family were poor and had to settle for what there was. On a cold dark night in December what they settled for was a dwelling place with the animals. What could be more honest or simple than a few barnyard animals to be born with? She wrapped him up and placed in a feeding trough. 

The animals must have found that odd. But they may have also understood as only animals can, namely that what they saw that night was a moment in Salvation History.  Only they could truly perceive what was in the Eternal Now of this Incarnation, and they breathed on the Holy Child what warmth they could provide and from that Spirit that was within them. I have always loved this beautiful simplicity; the animals and their companionship with the Holy Child asleep in the hay.  In my mind’s eye, I have a tableau of heavenly peace. It is a tableau that exults in my spirit and dares to dream the Dream of God!

Christmas is that simple. 

Christmas is Joy!

The story continues; “In the same country there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” Ah yes, to tell the honest truth such a moment as this would no doubt make me “sore afraid”. 

Then “the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The cadences of these magnificent words resonate deeply within my soul.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Keep your eyes fixed on the Manger. Behold Mary and her Child, the animals sleeping, the shepherds rejoicing, and the Glory of God shining round about them, and the Angels singing Glory to God in the Highest.

The Joy of Christmas proclaims that as we allow God to become flesh and blood in us, peace on earth and goodwill to all is a real possibility.

A few verses on we return to the Honesty, Simplicity and Joy found in Mary’s heart as this Gospel story concludes; “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

This is Christmas. Tonight is Christmas. In a few moments we come to the Holy Table and honestly, simply and joyfully receive the Holy Child within us.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

Fr Paul

Below are the readings for Christmas. For many years it has been a tradition for me to read the Christmas Gospel from my grandmother’s King James Bible.

Collect

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14 King James Version

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.