On my day off this week I visited London, and one of the wonders of this time of the year is the Christmas lights down the main shopping streets – Oxford and Regent Street. They are so wonderful to see and they are very creative. My only disappointment was that the lights on the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree had not been switched on yet. You will see from my picture that some of the lights are in the form of angels.
Angels, or God’s messengers, always remind me of the beginning of the story of the first Christmas, and the visitation to both Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and of course Mary the mother of Jesus. It must have been a scary moment when they both learned of their forthcoming pregnancies. Mary especially, who when she learned that her child would be so very special, must have felt the tension of bearing such an important task. Yet even in her stomach-churning moments she knew in her heart that it was important to obey the command she had been given.
I hope that as we reflect and celebrate during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we will acknowledge the part that Mary played in this wonderful story of how Jesus came to live on this earth. As the story unfolds, we will discover how Mary’s part in whole picture is not just one of giving birth to Jesus on that first Christmas day, but also her role throughout the complete story of his earthly ministry. Our obedience to God’s commands can be significant to our lives: not only for ourselves but for others too. I pray that we can play our part in Christ’s church today.
May God bless you through this season of preparation that is Advent.
Revd Graham
