Carol Service Sermon (@Christ Church 13 Dec 2011) "Christmas starts with Christ(?)"

Christmas Starts with Christ - Pagan beginnings
At one level this is patently untrue.  Jesus was most definitely not born on December 25, not in December at all.  We have very little evidence when He was born, but the stories indicate that it was most likely towards the end of September. Then the weather would still have been good enough for Shepherds to be outside overnight.  In December it was too wet and cold for that.  So how did we get to December 25?
In the early Christian world there were many activities that we would find outrageous and entirely unacceptable .  There was a winter solstice festival celebrated in ancient Rome called Saturnalia. The festival celebrated the return of the unconquered sun.  The days had been shortening, now they were lengthening again, the sun was returning.  It lasted a full week, ending on December 25th.  In pagan Rome the law courts were suspended, charges of drunkenness, criminal damage, criminal injury and rape could not be made.  The festival was characterized by naked singing in the streets.  On the last day, someone was chosen as an enemy of Rome, they were fed generously then attacked and killed.
The early Christians were appalled at the excesses of this festival (along with much of the rest of life in Rome) and put an alternative festival on the day.
Much as we do on Halloween with our lights parties.
The birth of Jesus was a good choice – it picks up on the equivalent Christian symbolism.  The son of God is born, the light of the world has come, sin and darkness will be banished forever, we celebrate the coming of brighter days ahead.
When the Empire became officially Christian the Saturnalia festival was still widely supported and the official celebration of Christmas encouraged, with much of the over indulgence of Saturnalia being left in place so as not to upset too many of the population.
Then, just as there is now, there was a tension between Christ at Christmas and the other festivities that take place at that time of year.  Most of the traditions that go with Christmas have come from other pagan festivals from other times and other cultures, as Christianity spread throughout the world.

Christmas Starts with Christ - Times are changing
I've already use the title 'Light of the World' to describe Jesus.  It's especially true that a new baby brings light and hope into our lives.  When there is a birth among family or friends we make an effort to visit the baby as soon as we can.
I can remember visiting my sister when she gave birth to her first child (He's 30 now).  I knew nothing about babies and was very tentative.  I bent over the cot next to the hospital bed to get a closer look.  A small fist shot up, and only because I was young and had good reactions did I avoid a black eye.
I remember when our God Child was born desperately trying to find the hospital in a strange town, and then struggling to find the maternity ward which seemed miles away.  All that effort just to visit a baby, who will never have any memory of your visit.
We visit partly out of politeness , I'm sure, but also because babies represent our hope for the future.
We get a phone call and we go to visit, the shepherds went to worship, but then the announcement they received was somewhat more impressive than a phone call.  The baby they were visiting represented hope for the future, not just for them and their families but for the whole world. 
Most of us have about six months to prepare for the arrival of a new baby.  That's when the expectation begins.  What will he or she be like, what effect will they have on us and on the world around them. 
We've heard the prophecies of Jesus' birth, they were hundreds of years before the birth.  “ … the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace.
That's a lot to expect!
This child, though, changed the course of History.  His death on the cross paid for our sins and allowed us to make peace with God, and even to have good will to all men.
For a baby like that you'd expect an impressive announcement when He finally does arrive and you'd expect a good attendance.  That's just what Jesus got.  Wise men – Magi – Astrologers from the east traveled for many miles, so far that they didn't arrive until He was described as a Child. 
Christmas then began with Christ.  There is biblical evidence for the celebration of His birth.

Christmas Starts with Christ - Today
Again it looks like it's just not true.  Christmas, it seems begins with Marks & Spencer’s, and in September too – very appropriate!  We must remember though that for many Christmas is a festival of gluttony and laziness, because they do not know what they're celebrating. So much mythology is incorporated into our tradition it's hard for someone who doesn't attend church to work out what's real and what isn't.  They're in danger of throwing out the baby [pause]. 
If Christmas begins with Christ it is up to Christians to show that. 
There's nothing wrong with preparing for a celebration and having everything ready in good time, but when it comes to the celebration we must be sure that it's Jesus we are celebrating.
When I first joined this church the group of friends I was among used to meet at the midnight communion and exchange presents after the service.  The pattern was worship first and celebrate second.
When we first had our own children we continued the tradition.  About 11pm we got them up, put them in the car in their pyjamas, dressing gowns and coats, and took them to church.  The only babies, the only toddlers, the only children at midnight communion (in this church anyway).  We continued the pattern of putting Jesus first – worship first, then celebration.  Not only that NONE of them EVER got up early in the morning on Christmas day!
There are many things we can do during advent to prepare for the celebrations. Attending some of the special services, like the Carol service.  Delivering invitations, keeping appropriate advent calendars, using an advent wreath at home.  Whatever it is we must be sure that Christ is the focus, just as He should be in the rest of our lives.  That way our Christmas really can begin with Christ – and end with Christ.

There's a Christmas song from the seventies you may remember: 'I believe in Father Christmas' by Emerson, Lake and Palmer the last verse reads:

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve

If our Christmas begins with Christ and continues with Him, the Christmas we get will be far better than the one we deserve.

Christmas at the Casino

The office Christmas party was held at the Kursaal, or at least the casino behind the Kursaal. The office was closed early, so I caught a very early bus home. Instead of the students going in, they were all on the bus coming home. Later that evening the bus that had been hired to get us all there arrived, just as the School's Christmas event was starting. Chaos ensued as the sixteen seater bus tried to turn around at the top of the close.

Once the Chelmsford pick-up had occurred the disco lights and music started, and the champagne was distributed. We arrived slightly late on Southend Seafront, and investigated the entrance. Although I was born in the area, I had never been inside the Kursaal. The entrance to the Ten-pin bowling if under the famous dome, so I have finally seen it from the inside. The entrance to the casino is around the back. Outside is all very boring, but inside (where it counts) is very plush.

We dropped off our coats and made our way up to the casino, on the second floor. Introductions all round, as most of us had never met the others wives. Unfortunately two of our number couldn't come due to illness, and we are hoping they are both better soon. Then it was off to the restaurant to eat. The food was well presented and nicely server. The tables are far enough apart that serving doesn't require reaching across the tables. The restaurant was almost empty when we arrived, as was the gaming floor. By the time we had finished it had filled up, and was very busy. The MD made a little speech - I suppose he thought he had to.

Then to the games. Some of our number knew what they were doing. I did not, and spent a little time watching the roulette. I decided I did not really understand what was happening. Some people were obviously using a pattern and doing reasonably well. One man was gambling with £100 chips on three table, but seemed to only be betting on black or red. He seemed to do quite well too. I was not the only one watching, others too found it fascinating but did not get as far as taking part. Jo did not take any part, but remained in conversation with some of the other wives. The casino had put up the minimum prices because it was in the Christmas season. £5 for one game of black jack seems expensive. Two games would last less than 10 minutes, and for £10 you could see a film, which may last for two hours. Having said that, of course, this was a much better experience than my last visit to a cinema.

At mid-night the bus was waiting for us. It took a while to find everyone and make our way back home. We were first off the bus and said good bye to the others. It was an enjoyable night, probably something I won't do again, but a good experience to have. The problem for me is that I get no buzz from gambling at all. I'm always too aware that the house is making a profit, which means I MUST be making a loss - in the long run.

In terms of the 25 things, visiting a casino would not have been on the list, but you have to take the opportunities that present themselves.

Dec 24 - Midnight Communion

I wonder why you came to church tonight? Perhaps it was just to get out of the cold, or to have a sit down, or perhaps you enjoy singing carols.

Maybe you came because you always do. Its a personal or a family tradition, perhaps you even came reluctantly. Maybe you'd have preferred to stay at home, watch some telly, and have an early night – after all it's a busy day tomorrow. You couldn't, because its Christmas eve, and on Christmas eve we always go to church.

I've been coming to this service for more than 20 years and for a variety of different reasons:

• at first it was just a late night out with friends
• later it was to meet with friends and exchange gifts
• more recently, I'd wake up my young children and bring them, so that Father Christmas could sleep in late.

Its the start of Christmas, so we finish work early, if we're lucky enough to be able to, and start the celebration as soon as possible. That's what this service is supposed to represent. Get here for 11:30, and you will be able to take communion as early on Christmas day as its physically possible – so long as the preacher doesn't go on all night! We can sing the last verse of O Come all ye faithful too, because that can only be sung on Christmas day, when Jesus has been born.

Its the start of Christmas, and I feel obliged to give you an outline of the story. I want to do this, because although it gets told every year, and I'm reasonably sure that everyone here knows all the basics, but as a society we seem to be forgetting. We're told in a survey last week that 25% of people don't know where Jesus was born, and its up to about a third in the 18-25's.

So where was Jesus born? - Bethlehem – which one? In Judea, not Ceaserea, or Wales, because this Bethlehem is David's Town.

I don't care – really I don't. I'm much more interested in people understanding why Jesus was born. . Why was Jesus born?

Not of course a one word answer, but before we look at that, lets take a closer look at the story of the shepherds.

It's the start of Christmas, so we tell the story, over and over, until we all remember it.

There is of course no more evidence for the shepherds visiting Jesus than there is for the Wise Men. It is also true that there isn't any evidence to suggest that either of these event didn't happen. Just because we have no independent historical record of something doesn't automatically make it a myth. The stories were written down because the people at the time of writing believed them, and thought them important enough to record.

Why did the shepherds go to visit the baby Jesus?

Well, not for any of the reasons we've had for coming here. They went because an angel appeared in the sky, and the “glory of the Lord shone around them”. The angel made the announcement:

“Do not be afraid ...I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign a to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

and the Shepherds collected their stuff together and went off to find the baby.

Shepherd were the lowest of the low. They were not allowed in the temple because they were ritually unclean (from dealing with dead sheep). They were out in all weathers, wind, rain and cold. Most people thought of them as thieves. To look after the sheep they would have to face the dangers of bears and wolves, so they would be armed, with sling and a club, something like this one.

I was given this by the villagers in Chibelela in Tanzania in 2002, they would use it to defend themselves against robbers, but our shepherds would be more worried about wild animals. They had nothing worth stealing, so they wouldn't worry about robbers. The shepherds got their things together, tied them up in their goats skins, picked up their crooks, wrapped there cloaks around them and leaving the sheep, went off to look for the sign that the angel had promised.

Now you might think wandering around town looking for a new born baby was quite a challenge, but the town would have been dark, there would have been very few lights, and the commotion around the birth would have been quite noticeable.

Of course anyone will go and visit a new baby. Even as a young single adult, I went to visit my Sister and new new baby in hospital. As I bent over the cot, he formed a fist, and reached sharply upwards. I just got out of the way in time – imagine explaining that black eye!

Even if the baby doesn't give you a great welcome, there's still a sense of joy, anticipation, and hope that comes from hearing of a new born. That's one of the reasons we have to go to see them, to be sure its real - “I have seen it with my own eyes”.

What has a baby got more of than the rest of us?

Bones – yes 300 compared to 260 in an adult

but that's not what I was thinking about. A baby has more time left on this earth than we do, or at least that is always the hope that we have. The next generation is here, the future of our family, the next layer in the family tree is created, or is starting to fill up.. We can somehow look further into the future than we once did. What will the world be like when he or she is grown? - and has children of their own?

Every baby brings hope to its parents and their families for these reasons, but THIS baby ...

Most babies arrival is announced by the parents, or the mid-wives, and possible then in the local paper, or if you're born into royalty, you'll get an announcement on the TV news – explaining what you position is in the line of succession. As we heard recently:

“The Queen has become a grandmother for the 8th time after her son, Prince Edward (Earl of Wessex), and daughter-in-law Sophie (Countess of Wessex) celebrate the arrival of a baby boy.

The baby is 8th in line to the British Throne and has not yet been named (though the name James looks likely). His title is Viscount Severn.”

Wow! What a way to enter the world, I'm sure he is destined for greatness, but it's not quite a choir of angels like THIS baby ....

THIS baby comes, not just with lots of expectation and joy from its parents, but with a message from God. There's all the prophesies about his birth, and the sort of person he will be. There's the angels visit to Mary and then to Joseph. Then when HE arrives the angels delivered a message about Him to the shepherds, and all heaven celebrates.

“Do not be afraid ...I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ”

The Jews had been waiting, hoping for the Christ to arrive for hundreds of years. Many of them were hoping that the Christ would re-establish Israel to its golden age when David was king, and the country was conqueror of the surrounding lands. That would have to be a military solution – to kick out the Roman occupiers. THIS baby comes with a different promise, and causes a different hope. THIS baby brings hope to everyone – all the people. It must be all the people, otherwise why tell the shepherds? That's hope for the Shepherds, the Jews, the wise men, the hated Romans, all the other human beings living in the world that the Jews had no idea about, and all their descendants all the way down their family trees to you and me.

That's what our other reading, from Titus, today (yesterday) is about.

Kenny Richey has been in an Ohio prison for 20 years, facing the death penalty for starting a fire which killed a two year old girl. Many times he has come close to being executed. Each time there has been a stay of execution. Now, because of a plea bargain he has a hearing scheduled that he hopes will result in his release.

That's like the position each of us finds ourself in with God. The apostle Paul says in his letter to Titus “we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”. Kenny had set the fire as revenge on his ex-girlfriend and the two year old was what the American's call 'collateral damage'.

Most of us won't act out our hatred to that extent, but its there inside each of us. You can see it. Just catch the eye of the driver you've just beaten into a parking space, or the person who can't get a seat on the train because you're ahead of them, or the person in the supermarket queue, when something you do causes them to be delayed – there are hundreds of other examples. We've all been that person too. Think back to the events of last week, or yesterday, or perhaps tonight in the church car park.

Kenny will enter a 'no contest' plea – neither 'guilty' nor 'not guilty' – at his hearing in January. That of course would not be good enough for God, although it will serve for Kenny in the American justice system. With God there can be no plea other than 'guilty', God already knows that you are, but he needs to know that you know, that you have admitted it to yourself. That you no longer want to live your life as one who is “disobedient, deceived and enslaved.” If that's the case then God because of His mercy and graciousness will not apply the ultimate penalty to us.

We have the hope of eternal life, of being put right with God our Father, and once again becoming heirs to His Kingdom.

Like Kenny's release, its only possible through careful planning. God told the prophets what to expect, and they told us. A virgin was given to be married to one of King David's descendants. She listened to what God's angel said, and obeyed. More surprisingly so did her intended. The civil authorities caused chaos in the community by deciding to count all the people, they were just doing what God had planned. The baby was born amongst the animals because there was no accommodation left. Some shepherds were given the message, and listened, and found the mother and told her what they had seen and heard. Astrologers or Kings or Wise Men (the Magi) were watching the sky, and saw signs of something very important. They found the child, and gave him gifts to acknowledge Him as King of the world. The family fled as the Roman governor sensed revolution, and decided to kill all the young boys.

God had broken into His world in order to free all the people from the certain death sentence that they were facing. To do that he sent his son to be born as a human man.

THIS baby is the source of our hope. His birth, His life, His death and His Life show us what God is like, they show us that He is merciful, gracious, and is prepared to release us from the sentence we are facing and accept us back into his family, so that we will no longer have to live in hatred.

I wonder if anyone will tell Kenny?

I wonder if anyone will tell those who are busy cooking the turkey, or watching the television, or tucked up in their beds, preparing to celebrate a festival they don't know the meaning of?

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”

Tell the Story

Liverpool Nativity

The first thing I thought of was the Manchester Passion from last year, and immediately I started to compare things in my memory. With Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture next year (2008) I suppose they had to do something. This was again screened on BBC3 and put the Nativity into a modern setting. A sleazy, power drunk city official as Herod (Herodius - a woman), an asylum seeker as Joseph, homeless people as shepherds and so on.

I applaud anything that tells the story of Christ in any way, who can know what a modern version will trigger in modern people minds, or what the Holy Spirit can use to spark thoughts. So this is no exception, thanks to the BBC and the people of Liverpool for the presentation. In Christmas television terms this is a really good start to Christmas.

There were for me some problems with the adaption. The timescale from the visit of the angel Gabriel, through to the pregnancy beginning to show, and then on to the birth appear to cover just a few days. There was no sense of time passing, no journey for the couple to make. This took the edge off what the couple must have felt and experienced, and left you wondering about why the birth story is so important. Then there was the usual problem of the Magi at the manger (a supermarket trolley - that was a nice touch. I'll go into Tesco tomorrow and ask for a manger!) which is not really supported by scripture.

There was certainly no shirking the acknowledgment that Jesus was the saviour of the world, and a revolutionary, but the inclusion of Imagine, with the line 'imagine there no heaven ...' when we had just been presented with Gabriel as the commentator was a little strange. Where do people think angels come from I wonder?

There is also the small criticism of many of the players, who were off-key, not sufficiently amplified, and unsure of their lines in some cases.

The verdict has to be positive though, it was good to see, and better to hear it had excellent ratings. "BBC3's ambitious attempt to re-create a modern day nativity on the streets of Liverpool was rewarded with more than 700,000 viewers last night." Follow the link to read more.

What next? London to host a pre-construction of the apocalypse - before or after the 2012 olympics?