Carol Service

Introduction

Good evening everyone, may I add my welcome to you all, it’s great to be gathered together this evening.

I would like to share a reflection this evening in the run up to Christmas, and invite you to take a moment to reflect on what we have been hearing and singing about this evening.

How many of you have been asked by a friend, or a colleague, or someone you know ... ‘Are you all ready for Christmas … or are you feeling ready for Christmas?’

I think it’s sometimes a difficult question to answer …

You might start thinking, ‘Am I ready?’ Have I done what I need to? … and then you think of all the jobs you need to do or would like to do.

My default answer is absolutely not! I don’t think I ever feel ready.

But there’s an underlying question: Have you done enough to be ready?

Pre-Christmas Stress

There’s often quite a bit of pressure around Christmas, isn’t there … and particularly around Christmas Day itself … and the need and desire to make the day ‘special’.

I think most of us like to enjoy Christmas … I’d imagine if you are here this evening, you either like Christmas and this type of service is part of your annual run up to Christmas, OR maybe you’ve turned up for the first time or the first time in a while to test the waters, OR you’ve been dragged here by a friend or neighbour under false pretenses and you’ve been doing your best to look like you’re enjoying it.

Well hopefully it’s been enjoyable and not too painful for you so far.

But I think with this idea that many people like to enjoy Christmas, there is this sense that Christmas is this time of year that is supposed to feel special in some way.

I mean, take most ‘Christmas’ films for example, they are generally meant as ‘feel good’ films, meant to leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end of them … Die Hard might be an exception … but you get what I mean.

Then if you look at some of the adverts for Christmas this year, you’ll see these themes coming out: love, sweet love; magic and sparkle; making magic; having Christmas spirit, even there being a miracle … and then there’s always the exception that proves the rule … i.e. the carrot who saves the day.

All of these are quite special things … aside from the carrot … but there seems to be an underlying pressure to make sure that you have a Christmas Day that includes something of these - a day that is special in some way.

(I’m interested, does anyone not feel the pressure around Christmas?)

I’m sure if you’re a parent or carer you want to make Christmas something special for your children, or if you’re hosting Christmas Day for friends and family you want to make it a really special day - you want to get it just right, and if you’re not in either camp, there is probably something in you that hopes that the day is special in some way.

And so then we come back to that question … Are you ready for Christmas? Have you done enough? Will everything go smoothly?

And if you’ve done this a few times before, if you’re being honest with yourself, you know that noone gets it just right, but you also know that deep down you probably want to do your best to make it special.

What is that special thing?

So, what is it that we are looking for to make the day special?

Maybe you think it’s getting someone a really great present - getting people things that you hope they are going to enjoy … But what happens if you get someone the wrong present? … And what happens if you can’t afford a certain type of present? Does that mean you and others miss out on ‘the special something of Christmas?’

Maybe you think it’s getting some really nice food. Maybe you go all out on Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. You know, not just food - very special shop food! One of my colleagues the other day was saying that for him as long as there are pigs in blankets he doesn’t mind what he eats, even if it’s just a cheese sandwich, just make sure there are pigs in blankets! … But what happens if you overcook the turkey, or you don’t like turkey? Or what if currently you can’t eat all of that food due to health reasons? Or maybe, like my 7 week old daughter, pigs in blankets aren’t on your menu for Christmas lunch? … Does that mean that you miss out on ‘the special something of Christmas?’

I’ve heard some adults who have got a bit disillusioned with Christmas say, ‘well, it’s really just for the kids isn’t it.’ And so their aim is to make it a nice day for their children or grandchildren … does that mean that adults miss out on the special something of Christmas?’

Many people say that it is a day to spend with the family, but what happens if you don’t have family close by or at all, and what happens if meeting up with family is really tricky and hard work? Not that that ever happens!

And then of course, if you think that that something special is snow … you’re definitely going to be disappointed in Northampton!

All of these things are nice, and they can be special, but we also know that you can’t depend on them, they are not the ‘special something’ of Christmas by themselves.

In fact, even a combination of some or all of them will not get to the special something that we are hoping for.

Jesus

Instead, I want to suggest that the special something at the heart of Christmas, is the thing that all of those things point towards.

Gathering together with all of the family can be a bit of a challenge, but why is it that everyone comes together to celebrate on this particular date every year? … Well, maybe we’ve forgotten, but I think we’re supposed to be celebrating a birthday?

The meal can also be quite a stress - and that’s before you ask the question of whether to have turkey or not! But why is there a meal? … Well, when you gather for a birthday, I guess a feast makes sense … And yes it was the church who many centuries ago made the day a feast day. So, that means if you are getting really annoyed with the in laws and outlaws during Christmas lunch this year, feel free to blame the church!

Present buying can get a bit stressful at points, especially when we all know a person who is really difficult to buy presents for! But who was it who first came up with the idea of bringing someone presents to celebrate their birth which is celebrated on the 25th December? … Well, perhaps it was a bunch of astrologers from Persia who knew that this baby who was to be born was in fact the special something that the whole world had been, and is longing for.

The birth of Jesus is the special something, or rather, someone that the gathering and celebrating and eating and present buying points towards.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

He is the special someone who gives meaning to most things that we do at this time of year.

He is the one the prophet said would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

He is celebrated because he is the only one who has come from God to show us what God is like - when he was on earth he said, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.

He is the one who spent time with the outcasts of society.

He is the one who loved the ones society said were unlovable.

When children were not valued, he was the one who allowed them through the crowds of adults and focused on them.

When women were banished to the sidelines, he was the one who elevated them and made them the equal of his male followers.

When he died on the cross, he did it so that everyone could have their sins, their wrongs, forgiven and removed for all time.

He is the one who rose back to life, overcoming the power of death itself, and giving all who believe in him the promise of eternal life on the other side of the grave.

He is the one who gives everyone who believes in him, his Spirit, so that they may know his power and presence every day of their lives.

He is the one who began a movement that has gone on for 2,000 years, where his followers now span the globe, and are bringing hope and healing in their communities the world over.

The kingdom he instituted is the only for all time that includes every person of every age and gender, from every nation, tribe and language - where all are equally valued and loved.

He is the only one who gives us true life, joy and freedom,

He is the only one who completely knows you and completely loves you,

And he wants to make his home in your heart.

Jesus is the special someone at the heart of Christmas.

I would like to do two things as I wrap up this evening. 1) I would like to give you an opportunity to turn to Jesus and welcome him into your hearts and lives if you have not already done so. 2) I would like to pray a blessing over you all as you go into this season.

Lord Jesus, sorry, thank you, please.

May God bless you and those you love ...

Please come and find me - I’ve got these Why Christmas? booklets for you.