Rector's Christmas Message

Christmas recalls the story of travelers propelled by the unhurried rhythm of their animals:
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Why did these wise ones undertake such a journey?

Traversing the caravan routes of Persia, Babylon, and Syria for 1,200 miles, they ford broad rivers, pass ancient cities, cross barren deserts. Three months they trek westward, day after day, "following yonder star."

Yet we are challenged to follow our day books, our emails and saved telephone messages!   There is a wonder about Christmas as well as a tyranny.  No mad frenzy yet, but we are not naive.  Instead of being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give in a rush and fearfulness.  We lose sight of the joy we imagined the gift bringing to another when we chose it.  Jesus doesn’t. Jesus is He "Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross " (Hebrews 12:2), the Father tempered His pain with His anticipation of the happiness and freedom which would surprise the recipients of His Gift upon opening.
 
And so God gave, not reluctantly or because God was forced by popular opinion, but because God loved. No store-bought gift would do for those God held dear, it must be home-made. Nor was Gods choice of Gift an optional trinket for the "one who has everything." God gave the only possession that we don't have and really need. God did not give a thing, an object. God gave God’s self--a costly Gift in the extreme, so expensive that many reject the Gift because of the obligation they know they incur upon acceptance.
Herein lies a Christmas mystery. Only by opening the first Gift may we truly comprehend what is the real significance of giving and receiving gifts. May this season not capture us in its tyranny, but release us in an eager cheerfulness to give.

A tall astronomer, advisor to the Persian king, springs from his midnight vigil in the palace courtyard. "Casper, come! Look along the road I've sighted toward the constellation of the Jews." Casper peers into the blackness. "Do you see it? That brilliant star is new tonight! It must signify the birth of a mighty king." 
 
A touch of the boy-child's tiny fingers, a final longing look, and the magi rise to go. Camel bells soon fade in the brisk morning air.

We, too, travel at Christmas, visiting family and friends. Yet, like the magi, the most important journey we make these hectic holidays is to draw near Jesus himself with the gift of our hearts.

Canon Janet Lynall