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Bishop John's Christmas letter 2003 |
Christmas is a 'wake-up!' call.Among our family of donkeys and dogs, we have some hens and a rooster, 'Big Red'. He is a great character, and we get on very well. Big Red and the hens enjoy life and he struts around looking important on appropriate occasions. In fact, the only time we don't get on very well is at dawn. Being this time of year dawn comes at about 5am so, bright and early, our happy rooster, Big Red, sets himself, gargles a bit of rooster mouthwash, clears his throat, stands on the nearest tree stump and lets rip - Wake up John! wake up John! John is not happy at being called on to wake up at 5am! (especially since I'm a 'night' person!). However, this call to wake up is necessary, even if not always fully appreciated at the time! My football club (OK, I admit it's Melbourne) needs a reminder every season - otherwise it seems to forget to 'Wake-up!' and play! Christmas is my 'Wake-up!' call to Jesus. On the first Christmas, people had vastly different reactions to God's wake-up call.The motel owners were too busy to listen. Joseph, Jesus' step-dad, took a while to properly appreciate God's call to 'wake up!', especially when it involved an unexpected baby out of wedlock. The shepherds were scared witless by disturbing angels, before waking up fully. King Herod (the local dictator) was very unhappy at a new king coming into his patch! However, Mary, Jesus' mother, appreciated God's wake-up call straight away. The wise men were farsighted and awake enough to give years of their life on a 'follow-the star' search to find God's new arrival on planet earth. The baby Jesus grew up to be the Great Teacher, Healer, Reconciler, Prophet and Miracle Maker. Even more, Jesus claimed to be 'God with us'. This startling call shatters everybody's sensitivities.In 21st Century Tasmania we see the same range of reactions to God's unexpected wake-up call. Some people get cross - 'Fancy Jesus imposing on our Christmas' celebrations!' Others greet Jesus' new day with joy. But confronted by such a wild call, 'God with us!' is it really possible to roll over and go back to doze mode? Christmas is about Jesus Christ; so join me and millions of others, in waking up to Jesus and to one another this Christmas. Happy Christmas, Tasmania.
Bishop John Harrower |
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