Christmas - Day       Dec 25, 2006

Is 52:710 Psalm 98 Heb 1:16  Jn 1:118

1. It was the 24th December. The lady was frustrated. She obviously did not get the gifts she intended to buy. She pushed her child into the crowded elevator and said loudly in annoyance, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing, should be hung and shot.” And we like Sheep, baa-ed in agreement. Until a teenager at the back said, “We have done that already. We hung him on a tree and crucified him.” There was an unusual silence in the elevator all the way down.

Gift giving is blessing, it can be fun (if you have the funds) but it can be a curse if it becomes an end in itself. Today we celebrate the Manifestation of a God who gives, to those, to us who have nothing to give.

2. Isaiah describes a People who have nothing to give in the first reading . It is  the 6th century B.C. The people have been taken captive. They are miserable, feeling hopeless and dejected. They are frustrated like the woman in the elevator.

•   they are slaves
• they are away from home: in a foreign land
• their temple has been destroy.

• None of the things you and I enjoy this Christmas Day. It is to these people that Isaiah promises a God who gives, to those who have nothing to give. The sign of their recovery is when they rebuild their temple. No wonder Isaiah will say, How beautiful is the sound of the feet on the mountain of those who bring us the good news.

3. The second reading from Hebrews tells us that in the fullness of time, God gives and continues giving. This the fullness of time. In a way, the fullness of time may be compared to an alcoholic who realises that he/she is an alcoholic. They have lost their loved ones, their job, their home, they are lying in the gutter. There is no other choice. They can stay there in their misery, or they can ask for help. If they do realise that they need help. It is the fullness of time.

We too are in need of a saviour. It is a Saviour who will reveal to us a God who gives, to us who have nothing to give. The fullness of time was prophesied by the  Prophet Daniel. The fullness of time has been reached. There is a hardness of heart of the spiritual leaders. They have made the law an end in itself. It is a means of solidifying their power and control. They are the bad shepherds who slaughter the sheep and lead them astray. Now God will be the Shepherd in God’s own person. God will give to people who have nothing to give.

4. Now in our own day and age, we have others who bring us the Word of God. Beautiful is the sound of their feet not merely on the mountains and valleys, but in the concrete jungle of our cities, in our subways, street cars, on our bumper to bumper highways and parkways.

They bring the good news

By  their thoughtfulness and caring.

By generosity and going the extra mile

by acknowledging the homeless and street people. Stopping and talking to them.

By helping the helpless, yet saving their dignity and pride.

They are the signs of a God who gives, to those who have nothing to give.

Have a wonderful celebration in remembrance of the birth of our Saviour 

May your hearts be filled with God's pure joy 

May your gatherings be filled with laughter   

May hour home be filled with God's great love 

May His gifts of peace and love be yours to treasure this Christmas.

Wishing you peace and joy