Reverend Julie Guest of St John’s Anglican parish at St Paul’s Church on Rangiaowhia Rd.
Have you ever had a calamitous Christmas?
One where things went very wrong, or were not at all what you planned or hoped for? hat immediately comes to mind for me was the time someone fell into the Christmas tree, knocking it right over and spilling the water from the bucket onto our new carpet and over the presents beneath.
That created deep disappointment that was hard to dispel for the rest of that day. Although upsetting at the time, such experiences eventually become part of the collective family memory; one of the stories that strengthens our joy of being together. What those experiences show us is that our relationships are strong enough to overcome calamity.
That love means commitment to each other, rather than a perfect event. I guess the calamity they were facing had a similar effect for Joseph and Mary as they faced rejection after rejection searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
But love was at the heart of their actions – love for each other and love of the God they had each agreed
to serve.
And when their baby was born, that Love was simultaneously magnified and coalesced – expanded and concentrated in and through the baby; the Christ child, Jesus.
Jesus’ love is as real and available today is it ever was.
Without Jesus, Christmas is a shopping spree. With Jesus, Christmas is love. How will you live out Jesus’ love in your family, neighbourhood and Te Awamutu this Christmas? – Rev Julie Guest.
