I AM thinking about someone I know who has, after much searching, found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He had lived as he wished and lead a life which just did not bring him real peace.
Then he met a group of young people who began slowly to change his mind and his heart. He saw how joyful they were despite their own struggles and difficulties.
He began to see too that he had things in his life which were leading him away from peace and happiness, things which he now sees as sinful things.
This group’s dedication to a living God and to prayer began to influence him and he started to see that Jesus is in fact real and strong and true and merciful.
For the first time in years he has set up a crib in his house. The last time he had a crib was when he was a child. He hopes that he will never grow so mature as to dismiss the Christmas story. When placing the figures in the crib he began to imagine what that first Christmas must have been like.
He saw that Mary and Joseph are real human beings who had their own struggles. The simplicity of it all went deep into his being. He is looking forward to putting the child Jesus in on Christmas Eve. He will light a small candle beside the crib and remember times past, Christmases deep in his memory.
He will think of those who are gone but the memory of them is dear to him and he knows that somehow God is looking after them all. He will celebrate Christmas with his family and friends and he will try to share that joy which he has found.
When we read on the Gospel that the angels sang to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the Highest and peace to God’s people on Earth”, he sees now what that means.
If we give God glory and put Him in the first place in our lives then we don’t have to rely on ourselves but on Jesus Christ who is born in the stable for me and for all.
He gives me hope and a certainty that all will be well because He is human and also divine. Because Jesus is human he understands our human story and because He is divine He can do things which we cannot.
May all of you who are reading this experience that deep joy and certainty and may the blessing of His peace come upon you this Christmas and may you be bearers of that peace to others.