By Isle of Wight Observer
Do you remember what it was like to be a child on Christmas morning? The excitement of presents; you’ve waited for what seems like an eternity for this moment to arrive. You’ve tried your best to sleep through until morning, but as soon as the first beam of light breaks through, you go for it – you wake everyone up, awaiting the signal from your parents to begin Christmas.
Christmas as a child was always filled with such joy and wonder, with hope and expectation. While these things may still be a part of your Christmas season, it’s likely that now the realities of the world are mixed in – realities of disappointment, stress, war, poverty, grief. Where Christmas once seemed to only bring about excitement and light, now it brings with it twinges of darkness and disappointment. It can leave us wondering, “What happened to the hope that we felt as children?” and make us question, “Will we ever feel that joy again?”
As someone who has wrestled with these questions myself, I come bearing good news. There is still hope to be found in this present age, but it doesn’t come from the anticipation of just Christmas presents or that Christmas magic.
Dr Seuss’s Grinch says: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! ‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!’”
So instead of focussing just on presents this Christmas – look out for the reason for the season! The presence of Jesus; after all, it is His birth that we celebrate. Amongst the darkness of our world, hope can be found in the One who promised to be the light: “I am the light of the world,” Jesus said, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). And this promise was not just for those who lived 2000 years ago. This promise remains true for us today. He is Emmanuel – ‘God with us.’
The run up to Christmas, Advent is a season of waiting in expectation, not only for the return of the Son of God, but for what He may do now in our personal lives, our families, and our community. There is eternal hope to be found this Christmas season, but there is also joy, anticipation, and excitement around all that God is already doing right now on the Isle of Wight.
We see church and community groups that are loving and serving those in need right now across our Island and, as the new team rector (designate) for Ryde, I’m particularly excited to see local people, and people from all over the UK and indeed the world moving to our Island and feeling drawn to join in with what God is doing to engage in the revitalisation of our churches and the transformation of our communities.
We have plans to create spaces where youth, young couples and families can thrive; we believe the church can be the centre for family life and support healthy relationships. It is clear that God is preparing the way and setting the stage for something new in Ryde.
This Christmas, the message of hope about a God who is active in our world, isn’t simply theoretical or far-fetched. He is moving in our community and our churches to bring about a revival of faith and hope to those who may have felt hopeless. Amongst the darkness of life, the Light of the World is doing a new thing.
May we approach this Christmas season as we once did as children – with anticipation, joy, and excitement for all that is still to come.
Merry Christmas.