It’s right time to re-engage with the greatest gift

WE all know the big Christmas words — Peace, Joy, Hope, Love. But are they any more than empty marketing slogans?

Like when you walk into the supermarket, and the banners assure you that the parsnips you are buying have been lovingly grown with your Christmas dinner specifically in mind?

Is Christmas a time of peace for you? Or increased stress and anxiety as you contemplate the family complexities you’re going to have to navigate?

Is Christmas a time of joy? Or simply a frantic rush to get everything done in time?

Visions of a meaningful afternoon shopping for meaningful gifts, for people who really do mean a lot to us, end up as yet another meaningless evening scrolling through Amazon on my phone.

Is Christmas a time of hope for you? Or a time when an empty place at the table is still agonising, and we are fearful for what the year ahead will bring? Love? Or gnawing disappointment that someone you thought cared seems to have entirely forgotten?

It can create real dissonance as the wreaths on the doors, cards through the post and lyrics of the Christmas songs all proclaim peace, joy, hope and love. And yet, the experience of yet another Christmas run-up feels like a different story.

Of course, those words are all an important part of the original Christmas. Jesus, born into a world of anxiety, uncertainty and conflict.

Yet, the angels proclaimed: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

Joy and peace, because God has given us the greatest gift of love, who, when we receive him, will bring eternal life: the ultimate hope for the future.

And it all revolves around that one child: Jesus. He has transformed the lives of billions of people across the world and through the ages. He’s still doing it today.

Christmas doesn’t have to be a time of empty slogans. Those precious words can actually mean something in your life too. Joy, Peace, Love, Hope — it’s what God wants for each of us, including you. And he’s given you Jesus to bring them to you.

Perhaps this Christmas would be a great moment to re-engage with that greatest gift of all — Jesus.

Sam Brewster
Vicar, Trinity Church Henley