It was total role reversal.  I sat there fascinated as the children responded to questions from the worship leader, sharing with her the story of Jesus' birth.  Instead of being told a story, they shared with the church the story they now knew so well.  The annual rehearsal of the nativity had obviously made an impression on their tender minds – so much so that the older ones could also clearly explain the reasons why Jesus had come as a baby, born in a stable in Bethlehem.  They then identified with the adults in equally looking forward to Jesus coming again.

That so many children knew this story so well brought joy to my heart.  It is the same story in much of the music we enjoy in church during the season of Advent.  Some of these skilfully written carols encode in song the whole Gospel message.

One of the young girls bravely sang the traditional solo for the first verse of "Once in Royal David's City" in front of the congregation of several hundred.  Then the choir joined in with the other verses that lead up to the climactic finale, "And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love.  For that Child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above."  That is the joy of the season and it never fails to move me.

The apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  [Phil 4:8]  Jesus fulfils every criteria in the above list and I find nothing but joy in 'thinking on these things' during the Christmas period, reading again those early chapters and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, rejoicing in the wonder that John expresses as he states, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."  [John 1:14]

That is also the joy and wonder that can more readily express itself to others at this time of year.  Among the one billion internet searches each day there are a significant number of people looking for answers on religious issues – or even what brings joy.  Among them are over 17 million people a month who search for the term 'church', 'find a church', or 'church home'.  That number increases at Christmas time as churches take the opportunity to open their doors more widely to warmly welcome that casual visitor who may only attend at this time of year.  What an occasion for sharing warmth, love and faith! 

That is also why I rejoice in seeing our church choirs up and down the country singing in town centres, at Christmas concerts, at tree lighting ceremonies, at Trafalgar Square or in myriads of other events.  For instance, the New Life church plant in Birmingham, gave out hundreds of free Bibles and other literature while they sang at a tree lighting ceremony in Wednesbury, West Midlands.  Another church, further north, reports that due to the lack of singers in their own congregation, they invite the local school and other church groups to participate in the Adventist carol service.  Adventist Carol singers in Leicester joined with the police, Age Concern and the Rotary Club to provide a seasonal meal for over two hundred senior citizens.

One cannot ignore that there is a downside to Christmas.  The crass commercialism of the 21st century, the over-extension of budgets by parents buying gifts they can't afford for their children, even the atheist-Christian debate highlighted by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, who stated recently, that Christianity is being 'airbrushed' from society as Christmas is 'rebranded'.  He took a leading role in the 'not ashamed' campaign launched by some Christians on 1 December.  Within our own church there are equally some in recent years who express some concerns over the origins of this Christian festival.  They ask whether it is something appropriate for us to celebrate.

Such questions do trouble me, but as I sat in church last Sabbath, listening to the children singing and recounting with enthusiasm the story of the nativity, those words of Paul seemed to reverberate in my mind.  "Whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

As I'm in church, with family and friends, and taking a break from the pressures of work over the next few days, I surely plan to 'think on these things'.  Happy Christmas and a blessed and peaceful New Year!

End.  (C) 2010. Victor J Hulbert

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