The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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Hopes and disappointments
Advent builds up our hopes for great things as it leads us to the Christmas celebrations. It’s a time for preparing, and hoping: hoping to receive or hoping to find the gift that will be just right, hoping for the reunion that will bring joy to everyone, hoping for the party that will really take off. Sometimes our hopes are realised but often there is disappointment over one aspect of the celebrations or another
When we listen to the Prologue to John’s gospel at the Christmas services we find both hopes and disappointments there too:
“He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God...” (John 1.11-13)
What was hoped for was not quite what was received. Jesus came in weakness when they were looking for earthly power shaped by their political and historical understanding of the Messiah.
Our hopes for Christmas will also be disappointed if they are shaped by an understanding that is at odds with reality. And our hopes of what Christ can do for us and in us will be disappointed if they are shaped by the success syndrome of our society.
Jesus' true power is not to make things right or prosperous. It is only to let us be who we are created to be: children of God. And how are we empowered to that? By embracing weakness, the means through which this fragile Jesus has the capacity to transform life.
Whatever your hopes for this Christmas, I pray that you will find your deepest hopes met, not in the tinsel and turkey, but in encountering Jesus Christ. Embrace his true nature and purpose and you will not be disappointed.
Wishing you every blessing at this hope-filled time.
Your friend and parish priest,
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