ST MARY’S CHURCH
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’ (one of the expressions of frustration heard and printable as customers were confronted by a card shop’s prominently displayed Christmas selection. It was after all July!) But what is it about Christmas that, on our way home on the 6th November from our pilgrimage to Walsingham, we spotted homes in one Norfolk village already bearing their Christmas decoration? Yet, whilst, of course, the Church draws back from the tinsel and commercialism, Christmas matters intensely and those who live in Temple Ewell will be familiar with hearing the bell tolled daily throughout the year (3x3x3x9) accompanying the ‘Angelus’ prayer giving thanks for the Incarnation (God with us in the birth of Jesus).
Tucked between the ‘Sundays after Trinity’ and the four Sundays of the penitential weeks of Advent, when we prepare for the Christ’s coming, is the Feast of ‘Christ the King’. For Christmas, this King has (or rather, should have) ultimate and absolute authority over everything, no matter whoever or whatever evil or fashion seems to be ruling the world. However, whilst everything is now encouraging us to celebrate Christmas, this special Sunday is a timely reminder that for Jesus everything must ultimately lead him to his Cross. Here at this painful place, where so very much is being given, we see a king not dressed in royal robes, but naked, battered and broken. His crown has not jewels, but vicious thorns. His hands have no rings of power on them, but the nails through them that fix them to a rough wooden cross. There is no ornate throne for him, for the Cross is his throne. And this king has no servants around him, only his loving mother is there and his closest friend, and there are some women who care for him. Crucified between two criminals, an assorted crowd of ‘gawpers’ mock him. But as this king dramatically dies, it is a Roman centurion who has been watching everything who suddenly declares, ‘Truly, this man is the Son of God!’
If we are fortunate, many of us have a special love of Christmas and much associated with it’s celebration – the enhanced experience of warmth, love and friendship, the fun of the parties and special meals, the shepherds with table cloths and angels in sagging tights, the beautiful carols and services. How right such celebration is, for there is much to celebrate. For the gift at the heart is ‘truly the Son of God’ and if all this about the Cross is ‘hardly Chrismassy!’ maybe it does at least remind us how loving, personal, and ultimately, how very costly is the gift for each and everyone of us the Father wishes us to accept from Him.
With every blessing for the Holy Season and my special prayers for those spending a first Christmas without a loved one.
Fr. Paul
Looking ahead
Sunday 15th January 2012
Benefice Eucharist at Temple Ewell. 10.30am.
Special Guest Preacher – The Bishop of Dover
