Christmas - A shared gift.

This year we joined in with our local baptist church (Lighthouse Community Church) for carols. Some of our musos and our choir from the morning service joined in. We cancelled 'connecT' for the night and had church 'take away. It was good to sit back and enjoy the evening. There were carols and solos, skits and plays, sermon and testimonies, and good community. It was the 'Lighthouse's' gift to us and, hopefully, for some others who came to have a look.

The gift of ecumenism is that not all churches are alike. The service was different to both 'connecT' and our traditional morning services; but, why not? The gift of Jesus at Christmas reminds us of the gift of the other. God came into the world and was different to what most people expected. Jesus provoked and comforted, angered and healed, unsettled and accepted, lived and died and rose again. The gift of the Christmas Jesus is that paradox. God came to bring peace, and disturb our settled lives.

Chris

The Christmas Challenge

Ah, blog-humbug. For months I couldn't sign in and then gave up trying, but I'm back!

Over the last few weeks at connecT we have been reflecting on Christmas and taking our time to unpack the depth of its message. Last week we explored the shadow side of Christmas based on the post-Christmas text of Simeon, Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Temple - Luke 2: 22 - 35. The text that pierced my heart was; 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against' (Vs 34). This verse was a blessing given by Simeon to Mary. Christmas blessings are often associated with material comfort and over indulgence, but a blessing like this - that doesn't sound very blessed - presents us with a challenge. The sweet babe is not what he first appears to be!

This verse reminds me of the challenge of Christmas. Most of us are not prepared to be challenged at Christmas; comfort is what we are looking for. But to be reminded that Jesus will demand something from us, and be divisive, just as we are called to be decisive, is the shadow side of Christmas. Jesus was, is and will be the cause of 'the rise and fall of many'. The baby grows up and lives to issue a challenge - 'come follow me'(Lk.5: 27). Is that too hard for most at Christmas, I wonder?

Chris