Friends in the United Kingdom of the Anglican Diocese of Belize Registered Charity no 1094023

ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF BELIZE

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - 2011
 
BISHOP PHILIP WRIGHT M.A.
John 1:14
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We remain grateful to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) for adding what can be called “flesh” to the rather skeletal introduction to the Incarnation of God in Christ presented by John in his Gospel. The Synoptic Gospels paint a picture of angels, shepherds, animals, a manger and moving scenes in their depiction of the Incarnation. They go to great lengths in their attempts to capture how awesome this unique entry of God into human history really was – an event that impacted not only tiny earth, but the whole of the universe.

John’s Gospel, on the other hand, summarizes his introduction of the Incarnation with these rather simple words: ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ It is simple yet profound, because the person John goes on to describe is none other than the very creator of the universe itself – the Word who was active at the start of creation, when God spoke. John’s appreciation of the “universe-impacting” nature of the Incarnation is no less real than that of the other Gospels.

John begins his gospel in the same manner as the Book of Genesis: ‘In the beginning ....’ This is interesting and worthy of our deeper reflection. Is it possible that John is making the bold claim that with the coming of Jesus all creation now has a second chance to get it right? Is John saying that the hope once lost is now regained; that the pronouncement of death made in the Garden of Eden has become an affirmation of life now possible because of the Incarnation?

I do believe this is the case, and John wants the readers of his gospel to view the life of Jesus through these lenses. He wants us to embrace this radically new reality, and thereby discover its transformational power. He wants us have a new relationship with God made possible because of the Incarnation of God’s beloved Son.

In the Incarnation God returns to His creation as part of the creation itself (not only its creator who may be perceived as standing apart) in order to regain the intimacy He once had with Adam and Eve, for instance. It is unlike the first entry, however, because this time God intends to come not just in the ‘cool of the afternoon’, but to remain with His creation forever.

Following John’s lead, Christmas must then be seen as primarily a celebration of not just God’s coming into the world in a special way, but also of His abiding presence with us every day – in a special way. This fact alone makes a life of joy, peace, love, and hope possible for us. We are able to go out into the world every day fully aware that the presence of God is what will make the difference as we take on the many challenges of life.

I need not repeat the entire litany of woes which vex our world today and have us in the position we are. Yet I will admit that the list does help to define what the parameters of mission and ministry are for the Church in this present era. The challenges are nothing short of exigent, yet they are filled with so many opportunities that can speak of the grace and love of God especially as manifested in people who choose to respond to these difficulties with confidence, faith and hope.

This is precisely the message of Christmas. We are never alone: God is with us, Jesus is Immanuel! It is indeed a cause for great celebration. So gather the family this Christmas; attend a church service of your choosing; spend time together; share a meal, be generous and have fun. Give God thanks for His many blessings but above all, for the greatest gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. There is tremendous value in giving these sorts of things the highest value and priority they deserve, over and above the many other things we sometimes feel compelled to do at this time of the year. By so doing our celebration of Christmas will never be the same again. There can emerge from it all the newness of life John in his gospel desires for us – a recognition that something wonderfully significant has occurred, and life, both now and in the time to come, is forever changed for the better.

My sisters and brothers, this is the Good News: this is the Gospel.

Carla joins me in expressing a most blessed and joyous Christmas to one and all.

+Philip Belize