christmas carols reflection

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NRSV)

It all sounds a bit too easy and a bit too perfect. Listen to the impressive words attached to this new baby Jesus at Christmas – wonderful, mighty, everlasting, prince, and ultimate authority. Like me, you might feel that such gushing words of perfection have nothing to do with us.

After all, we are the people who struggle to wake up, to get out of bed, to get our work and tasks done, and to get on with everyday life. Not only that, but we know that we have sharp words, a sharp temper and an even sharper sense of our own inadequacies. Some days, we simply can’t keep up – and – oh no! – it’s Christmas again, and we haven’t got all the things done that needed to happen. We try to do what we see as the right things, but somehow we are always lacking, and never living up to our expectation of the person we could be, and of the good things we plan to do.

But how could thinking of a little baby and singing endlessly sweet Christmas carols make any difference?

Well, the good news is that God understands that we are imperfect, and God accepts our sorry selves even when we don’t live up to our own expectations. In fact, those are the very same expectations that we impose on ourselves, thinking that God requires perfection of us.

But does he really? Can you image the baby Jesus being a perfect baby, with no crying, no dirty nappies and no toddler hissy fits? And growing up as a teenager, no sulks and slamming off to his room, no arguments and challenges?

And yet by some amazing mystery that we can’t comprehend, that same baby Jesus grows up into a man who also lives and acts in his role as the son of God. A man who takes our inadequacies and imperfections onto his shoulders and carries them away for us, risking death to lay down his life for us. And now God acts through Jesus, saving us from ourselves and forgiving our imperfections.

You are saved, and your sins are forgiven! No requirements, no ifs and buts, simply a total acceptance of you by God. Hard to believe? But true. That’s what we call “grace” – an unending love and acceptance by God, no matter what.
So that now, each day, as we fight with our inner voices reminding us of our imperfections, we also have on board God’s power giving us inner forgiveness and acceptance, reminding us that we are beloved children, and allowing us to pick ourselves up and have another go at life. We can feel a sense of new birth within ourselves, as we change and grow to be more like Christ in response to this amazing grace.

The fact that Jesus was born as both human and God changes our life, so that we can feel refreshed as we approach each new day, each new task, each relationship, and all the myriad of things in our everyday life as we lead up to Christmas.

Imperfection? Let’s celebrate! because God accepts us with love, just the way we are.

We Pray For:
† The church to always remain ready and watchful for the coming of Christ.
† Those who are caught up in the worries of this life, that they may be set free by the hope of the coming kingdom of God.
† The leaders of our nation's governments, that they have the wisdom to look beyond the here and now and plan for future generations.
† That we prepare the way for the gospel by pursuing justice in our society.
† Those who are caught up in the material preparations for Christmas for peace among families gathering together at Christmas.