The Minister Writes...
Dear Friends
Mood music. That's the music in the background that you hardly know is there, and that you are not really listening to. But it's the music that both reflects your mood and influences it.
Somebody suggested to me a few weeks ago that she felt people were less enthusiastic about Christmas this year. I think that could be true. Maybe it's because of what's happening in the world just now - the War in Iraq. We are conscious of the big political questions about the legality of this war, and we wonder if it will really make the world community more secure. We are anxious about the British troops facing daily danger; we see graphic daily reports on television. Perhaps that helps explain the presence of a larger than ever crowd at the Remembrance Service in the Market Square. Mood music.
We're also told that the membership of the Church of Scotland is in "free-fall". Mood music. In your personal or family life you may face many difficulties. Mood music.
But sometimes it's important to play a different tune. At the time of the first Christmas I believe life was at least as difficult for the Jewish people as it is for us today (to be honest I think it was probably much harder!). Mary and Joseph themselves faced that risky journey to Bethlehem; no mother today would choose to lay her baby in a feeding-trough. But the mood music was not depressed and anxious.
The angels sang Glory to God and peace on earth.
The shepherds were amazed what they saw, and returned to their fields glorifying and praising God.
The wise men were overjoyed to discover the Christ-child.
So this Christmas 2004 let's change the mood music, for our own sakes and for the good of others. Let's celebrate! It's not escapism or indulgence to do that. We can celebrate with simplicity, with sincere joy and heartfelt thanksgiving. God has come into the world, not to condemn it but to save it. If that truth isn't worth celebrating, what is? And there's plenty of opportunity to celebrate at St John's and in the Christian community this Christmas. We have our own Shindig, and there are lots of Christmas services.
So come and join the celebration.
The whole manse family join me in wishing you a very happy Christmas
