Christmas Eve Midnight Mass

READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 52.7-10

Psalm 98.

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Hebrews 1.1-4

GOSPEL READING: John 1.1-14

In the beginning was the Word,

Sermon

I don’t know about you, but over the last year the news of wars raging across our world has made it hard to feel hopeful. I was reflecting during our Advent course how praying for wisdom and for peace can feel pointless, when it feels as if the leaders of our world are more concerned about what profits them rather than peoples lives. Yet I don’t believe our prayers are pointless because in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Holy Spirit moves among us listening to our words of prayer and through our prayers it works upon those who are listening for the Word. Those people may not always be the leaders of our nations, but they may be people close to them, family members or advisors who are open to the word of God. They may be protestors keeping a silent vigil holding the pictures of loved ones who have died due to injustice, a passing stranger on a train who shared their experience of fleeing from war, a child who showed a picture of the home they once knew. The ending of conflict and aggression doesn’t always come from a big dramatic moment or change of political will. Often it comes over time, through that still small voice in the darkness.

In Luke’s Gospel Mary, the mother of Jesus, gives a song of praise to God we call the Magnificat. In this she praises God for blessing a humble person like her with being the one to bring God’s word, Jesus, into the world. In this hymn she describes the kind of world God wants to see and its one of the most striking visions of challenging unjust structures in all of Scripture. Peace will come through ordinary people hearing this call, saying enough is enough, and having the courage to join in.

I’m not saying we have to break laws or shout or fight someone, we just have to open our hearts and open our minds to the little possibilities for change that God might be putting in front of us.

Over the last 6 months St Mary’s church has been offering our kitchens in the Parish centre to people seeking asylum. It enables them to cook meals for themselves, food that reminds them of home. It may not be much, but I know what an impact it has had. One of the users of the kitchen messaged me and asked me to thank everyone who contributed to opening the kitchen for the asylum seekers who consider this service the best service they have received so far. She said, Personally, I do not have words to express my gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts. Who knows what impact being shown welcome and hospitality has had on the community who use our kitchens and who for the time being call Banbury home. To be able to provide a space for people to feel normal again after they fled their homes due to persecution, war or threat to their life, feels like a small answer to prayer and helps me to feel hopeful.

On that first Christmas night Mary with the help of Joseph, brought Jesus to birth and although the setting was humble it became the most precious moment in all our lives because God dwelt among us, bringing light into the darkness.

I would like to end with a reflection from the book ‘Seeds of Hope,’ a compilation from the Amos Trust, a small charity that works through community projects around the world, including Palestine, to address the causes of injustice and poverty at a grass root level.

Do not get lost in a sea of despair

Be hopeful, be optimistic

Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year; It is the

struggle of a lifetime

Never, ever be afraid to make some noise

and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.

Our defences

Have become fences

Our fears

Have created walls and borders

So we look to the one

Who chose to become defenceless

Not to smash up our barricades

Not to chip away at the foundations or to widen the cracks

But to rebuild them into doors and windows, floors and ceilings;

To remove the No" on our No Vacancy" signs

And to stamp "Welcome" on our doormats

When our thoughtlessness stops the creativity of others

Give us the wisdom to keep quiet

When we keep a tight hold on power

Give us the confidence to let go

When we deny others a chance

Give us understanding of our need for each other

When we prefer the safe places to the wildness of your world

Give us itchy feet

When we don't take risks because we're too scared of failing Pick us up, turn us around and give us a gentle nudge

So that we may see you in the darkness As well as in the light

So that we may carry on

When we stumble on the journey and see no hope

So that we may stop and be silent

When we don't hear you in the earthquake, wind and fire, but listen to the small voice

Whispering

You are not done with us yet. There is still hope

Amen