We were out walking the dog on Boxing Day, when we met some friends who said how much they enjoyed Boxing Day as it was not particularly planned, and they could just ‘chill’. Then they said how someone was playing carols on the radio, which they didn’t like as ‘Christmas is over now’. 

I thought that was a pity. It’s as though Christmas is symbolised by our decorations – we get them out of a box until it’s all over and we put them away again till next year. Of course, much of our Christmases are like that, but the central theme of Christmas is not something to box away. We have to be careful that in leaving the season behind, we don’t leave the message behind. 

Jesus was born in humble surroundings – in a manger. But at the same time, not far away, there was a spectacular sound and light show being put on for the benefit of the shepherds. It started with the terrifying appearance of a single angel who announced the Christmas message:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)

Very familiar words but loaded with meaning which we can miss if they are only part of the Christmas package. (It’s interesting to read these words in the summer!)

The message is for everyone, that a child has been born for us all (not just for Joseph and Mary), who will be a Saviour and the promised Messiah. This is the fulfilment of a prophecy promising ‘Immanuel’ or God with us. It is not something we pick up once a year for a couple of weeks then put away again. 

The message in church last week was on How to Face an Uncertain Future. I suppose all our futures are uncertain, but we are much more aware of it at the moment. There’s not much that is stable or reliable. 

I sometimes wonder if God is shaking us up just so that we turn to him.

I’m reminded of the King’s Christmas message of 1939 (though I didn’t hear it first-hand!). Britain had just gone to war with Germany. The future was looking bleak. We know with hindsight that the following years of the second world war were a time of great suffering.

And he quoted a poem:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957)

Our times are maybe not as desperate as they were in 1939, but putting our hands in the Hand of God, putting our trust in him, is the only way to find true hope and security.

After the angels had gone, the shepherds in Bethlehem did three things – they went to see, they made it known what had been said, and they glorified and praised God for what they’d seen and heard. (Luke 2:15-20)

Maybe we can continue into 2023 in the same way:

Go and see                  In spending time in the Word and prayer

Make it known            In fellowship and talking to others

Praise                          In daily acknowledgment and thankfulness to God