Rod Harding
Christ Church Anglican Church
It’s a funny thing, Christmas. Almost all of us celebrate Christmas in some fashion. For many, it’s a no-holds-barred occasion, with all the decorations, the food and presents, and all the family gathered together, maybe more than just once. For others, it’s a little less festive, but we still enjoy the season, and find time to celebrate with others. Here on Lord Howe Island, there are some who go to join family on the mainland, while others have family come here to the Island. And, of course, there are some for whom the whole Christmas ‘thing’ seems completely over-rated – it can be met with a bah-humbug (like good old Scrooge), or perhaps it could be a time of loneliness and sadness, with an acute awareness of the loss of friends or family.
Of course, at the heart of Christmas is the historical birth of Jesus – though the date of his birth was very unlikely to have been December 25. I understand it was originally the time of a popular Roman festival celebrating the winter solstice and the beginning of the lengthening of days towards spring. However, it was chosen by fourth century Christians as the appropriate date to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and has long since become a global celebration, providing all kinds of rituals and traditions. These included Santa (originally Saint Nicholas), Christmas trees, cards, gingerbread houses, lights and recognisably Christmas food (though that changes according to the culture you live in).
Then, immediately after Christmas, comes the New Year. That is a time of reflection on the past year, and (on the basis of that reflection) also a time for making resolutions for the coming year and (hopefully) beyond. Tragically for most of us, the majority of our resolutions seem to lose their priority within a short time, and we continue with life pretty much as we’ve done in the past. So often, change is just too hard, and even with all the best will in the world, we don’t make it.
By contrast, Jesus was an unequalled agent of change. Born in the same manner as any other human baby (other than that his mother was a virgin), he grew into adulthood and lived in a manner which so significantly disturbed the authorities of his day that they put him to death. His short life (he was not much more than 30 when he died) so changed the world that even our dating system has recorded that change by starting again from that time. Of course, it was not so much his death that made the difference, but his rising again to life after he had been killed – that had not happened before and hasn’t happened again since. It highlights the fact that there is something quite different and unique about this Jesus, who is at the heart of Christmas. The records of his life and teaching, together with his death and resurrection, demonstrate to us the extent of his commitment and love, and of the ultimate purpose of God for his world, and for each of us.
It’s a lot to consider – but then, there are 365 days of 2025 before us. That’s time enough, if we want to use it to make a change. It maybe something we could put our minds too, now that Christmas has come and gone.