Season blessings to you all

It is Christmas Eve, there is an echo of silence in our house as we gather both by ourselves and together preparing for the coming hours. It feels a little like waiting, waiting for the joyous celebrations when the gospel is read, or performed, breaking open the Word hearing of the birth of Jesus. That reminder that when all other human gifts have met their inevitable limitation, it is the recollected one, the bold virgin with a heart in love with God who makes a sanctuary of her life, who delivers Christ, who then delivers us… What if instead of doing something, we were to become something special? Be a womb. Be a dwelling for God. Be surprised. 

Hours of music singing, helping the children to embrace their role of king or shepherd, angels in the nativity play, walking through the church ensure its set for the celebrations not to mention all the cards written, people thanked, dinners prepared, outfits ironed..… Sometimes its easy to grow weary from all the admonitions to focus on Christ during the Christmas season, to resist holiday busyness. Please don’t get me wrong - I agree with that! - but then I see a believing people tangles and lifeless in sticky webs of shopping, baking, parties and school/church programs. 

We are distracted. 

Everyone is working extra hard to pay for All The Things. 

And though our homes have never looked more lovely or smelled more delicious…. 

Our actions are speaking loudly, and they don’t always match up to our words. 

Just think, in the manger God loves us; through the cross God saves us. But has he taken us to his home? Not yet. 

He has work for us to do. He wants the world to see what the Lord can do with his “purchased possessions”. So…. He prunes us - me - 

Once He stabilises us, the decorating begins. He festoons us with the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. He crowns us. Most people crown their Christmas trees with either an angel or star. God uses both. He sends his angels to protect us and his Word as a star to guide us. Then he surrounds us with his grace. We become his depot, the distribution point of God’s gifts. He wants no one to leave our presence empty handed. Some people find the gift of salvation. For others the gifts are smaller; a kind word, a good deed, a hug. Picked, purchased, and pruned. 

“Jesus said,

 “My Father is the gardener… He trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit 

so that it will produce even more fruit.” 

John 15:1-2

Many wishes are sent and received, and words spoken in thanksgiving. I offer a wish for you all that your homes, your tables and your very lives become spaces for the Lord to dwell. May your hearts be opened more and more, to the practice of hospitality, to the offering of grace and the making of space for others to come in and meet Christ, just as they are. May you know the same welcome in the Lord’s presence, the comfort and the promise of mercy, the joy of Light born into the darkness. May your cup overflow this season with the fullness of the Lord’s joy, and may the love of the Lord satisfy your every longing, as He is here among us now, and as we await His coming again.