Christmas Address to Our Lady of Walsingham Anglican Church

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The season of Advent has come to a close. Our time of waiting in darkness and expectation has ended and we welcome our newborn savior. Yet still everywhere we look around us is darkness. The global pandemic is raging on, many people listening to this or watching have lost loved ones this year, the political rhetoric continues with friends and family divided over which side is right. Everywhere we look, chaos. Noise, fighting and bickering. Yet piercing through all the noise and darkness is the unmistakable sound of the trumpets heralding the birth of the newborn King. In all the noise, and loss, and sorrow we have the opportunity now to pause and welcome Jesus. Much like the shepherds we have much to fear. The fear of the unknown. But like them we are told, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Despite all the chaos around us we can rejoice in this good news, the moment we have anticipated over the course of the past four weeks. The event that has been hoped for has arrived! Despite everything happening around us we can celebrate the fact that the world has been given a savior. In that savior we can place all of hopes, the hope that the pandemic will soon come to an end, the hope that broken relationships will be restored, the hope in the resurrection that we will be reunited with lost loved ones.

No matter what we have faced this year the message is the same, “Do not be afraid.” Sometimes that’s hard to do, especially when you turn on the news. Yet despite what we see or hear we can rest is the knowledge that God is and always will be looking out for us. I picture the image of the Sheppard’s in the fields at nighttime, nothing but natural light and maybe a fire keeping them company. When suddenly a bright light appears out of nowhere illuminating everything around them, and immediately they hear, “Do not be afraid.”

So in the midst of these dark times, allow the words of the angel provide you with comfort, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah!” Let us celebrate this good news, the news that pierces the darkness and provides everyone who hears it hope.

From my family to yours we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New year!

Let us pray,

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.