Faith,
Family & Community
Christmas has come and gone. And yet, there are probably some of us still finishing our celebrations. Or, maybe, waiting for company to head back to their homes. Christmas is still happening. Christmas is a whole season in the Christian calendar—12 days in fact, not just one.
We can still celebrate the angel’s message to Mary and Joseph. They were told that through unusual circumstances they would be parents to a special child, God’s child who would rule forever. The shepherds received a song from a multitude of angels who sang “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!” Whether it is Joseph or Mary or the shepherds, the angel tells them that they should not be afraid. (Why are angel visits so scary?)
All of these characters in the Christmas story had to make determinations. They had to choose to respond to the good news brought to them by the angel. The shepherds had to leave their sheep to go and see the baby. Joseph had to choose to marry his fiancé, even though she was pregnant with a child that was not his. Mary responded to the angel saying “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Then Mary goes to visit her pregnant cousin. She delivers a powerful message in the Gospel of Luke: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior…” And Mary tells how wonderful God is, that in this work of Christmas God has scattered the proud, brought down the powerful, lifted up the lowly, filled the hungry and sent the rich away empty.
In the midst (and even aftermath) of our Christmas celebrations, we also have decisions to make. Will we be about the work of the Christ-child? Will we take care of those in need? Will we help those who do not have the power to help themselves? Will Christmas be more than a day—or 12?
Christmas brings us good news of great joy for all people. But for this message to ring true, all of us who follow this child born anew in our hearts must decide to live as Jesus lived. We must receive the gifts of hope and peace and joy and love Jesus offers. Then we must share these gifts with a world desperate to know good news and great joy. Be not afraid, friends. Be not afraid.
Peace.
Kelly Ingersoll, Minister
Kelly Ingersoll is the Pastor of First Christian Church of Macomb and resides in Macomb with his wife Anne.
