22.12.2021
Christmas Message 2021 from Archbishop Michael Jackson
… telling the story …
Christmas is a time for hearing creation. Throughout the Christmas story we hear the voice of creation heralding and responding to the birth of Jesus and the coming to earth of the Son of God. Throughout the Lockdown we will have heard sounds of the creation we had never heard so clearly because our busyness had drowned them out. Let us take time to hear creation’s cry at Christmas.
Christmas is a time for accompanying a neighbour. Throughout the Christmas story we see neighbourliness offered and neighbourliness destroyed. We see the kindness of the innkeeper along with the cruelty of Herod. Throughout the Lockdown we have received and offered acts of neighbourliness unparalleled in our experience. Let us make time to accompany our neighbour at Christmas.
Christmas is a time for listening to a friend. Throughout the Christmas story we find countless stories of listening, starting with Elizabeth and Mary in the hill country and John and Jesus leaping in greeting in the womb. Throughout the Lockdown we all have had experiences that need unpacking through friendly listening. Let us make time to listen to the story, however faltering, however fragmented of a friend.
.. let us make time to tell the story of one another this Christmas …
St John 1.14: So the Word became flesh; he made his home among us …