Christmas has come again, and the world bustles with preparation for celebration. Christ is come! The Lord is here! Sing Noel! Merry Christmas! Lights proclaim our readiness to welcome Jesus at his second coming. The candle in the window bids welcome to the coming King, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, Come soon.

Yet in our society, even within our churches, cries of Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings are heard more often than true Christmas greetings. Winter songs replace Carols, gift giving and family gathering become the focus, and the Risen Christ is left far down the list of priorities. Does it matter? Isn't Christmas for Children?

We may well have a Green Christmas, and, to listen to the commentators on TV, if there is no snow, there can’t be a Real Christmas. Many equate Christmas with Family Time and Warm Fuzzies, and in part it is. Reaching out in love, one to another should be an ongoing part of real life, particularly at Christmas, and yet, for many Christmas stops there. Truth is, the challenges of real life still press in, even at Christmas. For some, illness and death at Christmas can become a major obstacle and the thought of a celebration seems impossible to understand.

In my case, going to Church at Christmas, seeing the decorations, hearing the carols, does remind me of all of those who have gone before. The Apostle’s Creed speaks of the Communion of Saints, the sense that in worship we are surrounded by fellow worshippers, that in the hymns, the readings, the communion itself, we stand shoulder to shoulder with all who have gone before. At Christmas, we are not further separated from our loved ones, but stand with and beside them, trusting them and all those whom we love, into God's care.

Why is Christmas so vitally important in today's world? Not because of magic or nostalgia for Christmases long past, but because it is one more chance to reaffirm what we believe. The story of Jesus is not just a myth, but is a way of relating to the world. Christmas is not just an excuse to have a party with friends, but marks the intervention of God into the world we live in. We have a faith that is steadfast and true. We have hope in the midst of chaos. We have a point and purpose that goes beyond mere surface gift giving. We have reason to cry out," Merry Christmas", for our God is not to be found in the super abundance of choices at the local store, but rather in lives lived in love in his name.

Our hope as Christians is that we rest in the hands of a God who will never leave us nor forsake us, and this hope is seen in the life and living, the death and dying of committed Christians, who experience the peace and comfort of the presence of the living God. "I am not afraid to die, because I trust God's promise", and "I am not afraid to live, because my God walks at my side, even there, in the midst of chaos".

Over 3,000 years ago Joshua challenged the Israelites to "choose this day, whom you will serve." This Christmas, we are still challenged to proclaim aloud, which God we serve. When we decorate our houses, trees, and sanctuaries, when we sing carols of Praise to God, when we give gifts in the name of Jesus, when we gather in worship to honour God for the gift of his son, we proclaim to an unbelieving world that there is hope.

This year, more than any other, in the midst of global violence and spiritual confusion, let Christmas be a time of Joyful Proclamation, that the Messiah, Jesus Christ has come. Let our praises echo through a darkened and searching world, proclaiming a better way, a way of life and light. Let our testimony of lives lived in faith and expectation become a benchmark and example for the peoples of the world, bringing words of comfort and hope.

Merry Christmas! Jesus has come! Merry Christmas! We have reason for hope and confidence in the future. Merry Christmas! We are loved of God.

The Rev. John Phillips