This week’s thought has been written by Gale Richards, EBA Regional Minister.
For the last five years I have had the privilege of being an associate chaplain at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). It is within that context, that a few weeks ago, I found myself responding to a question put to the chaplains of all faith backgrounds – What does Christmas mean to you?
In the next couple of weeks, I will find out what my chaplaincy colleagues from all faith backgrounds had to say about what Christmas means to them. Whatever they may say, I think the lead chaplain in posing the question, offered an important reminder, that we are rarely faced with a ‘blank canvas,’ when it comes to sharing our Christian faith. Perhaps, many more people than we imagine, already have a concept of who Christ is – whether they are Christians or not. It may just be that their concept of the person of Christ is very different to ours!
As I reflected further, I also realised the challenge of the question posed – What does Christmas mean to you? – was particularly timely for me, as I was looking ahead, to preparing to preach at a local church this coming Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent.
I tend to spend Advent reflecting on the choice we (can) make to embrace Christ as our saviour, and the ways we (can) tell and show what it means to be Christ-like, all as we await and prepare for Christ’s second coming.
This period of Advent reflection as I said to the ARU lead chaplain, is what helps prepare me as Christmas arrives, to celebrate the fact that God came to live amongst us ordinary human beings. It also helps me feel all the more ready to marvel at how baby Jesus grew up, to be this shining example of how to challenge oppressive regimes. It is also makes me even more thankful that we have this example of Jesus to follow, and fills me with eternal hope, that we can and will live in more just and loving world.
Over the coming weeks, I will be praying for a helpful and fruitful period of Advent reflection for us all…
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