Christmas Carol Service - The Laughing Christ
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26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”
29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
I’ve been watching Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and I like the way he creates fun and laughter.
In 1973 Willis Wheatley (a Canadian) drew a picture of a laughing Jesus and it seemed wrong to some people, did Jesus laugh much? There’s a verse in bible Jesus wept but no record that Jesus laughed, but he knew how to party, he had a speciality of wine at weddings, could cater for 5000 with a few loaves, he was accused of being a friend of sinners, he was a master story teller, gathered children around him….. I don’t think he did all that with a straight face!
So as we celebrate Christmas this year let’s make sure our Christmas is a celebration of Jesus the Christ who cries and laughs with us.
Too often we (Christians) create a kill-joy kind of Christmas, a thou shat not party kind of Christmas.
The vicar’s sermon says commercialisation of Christmas (tinsel & trimmings) is not really the ‘true meaning.’
I’m tired of being made to feel guilty about our Christmas celebrations. This Christmas let’s embrace the word ‘celebration.’ Many are enjoying parties even if they are not clear on the significance of baby Jesus or the spiritual depth of Christmas. Jesus who came from heaven to earth so that God could be one of us (God in flesh)
There’s room for each of us to celebrate and party and worship this Christmas (O Come let us adore him). The Holy Spirit is capable of touching someone’s heart singing a carol in a pub, tipsy in a midnight Mass or here in this Carol service. Jesus said ‘I have come so that you may have life in abundance.’(John 10:10) Shock Jesus loved to party!
When I see a child’s face as they squeeze a wrapped present and imagine it’s their dream come true. I want to have some of that wonder...and think of the greatest gift of all Christ the Lord. Children can often show us the way
Do you ever think… when did I stop jumping in puddles in the rain, when did I stop filling up containers with soapy water in the bath, when did I stop turning round and round until I was dizzy and giggled as I fell over?
This year let’s recapture some of the joy of Christmas.
I think Jesus Christ would be thrilled that Christmas is one big party in his name. Maybe the challenge for us today is 1. To let Jesus light up our Christmas and 2. To rediscover the child in us and giggle and splash and sing carols and ‘celebrate’ the magic of Christmas. Release the child in us who w/be so bold as to ask the saviour of the world into my life – That w/be something worth celebrating this Christmas.
Once upon a time Cinderella worked as ‘Cleanliness assistant’ but one day she met a prince. She was transformed; she became royalty from that meeting. Today that peace prince ‘Jesus Christ’ wants to make you royalty, bring you into God’s family ….Let Jesus Christ be born in you tonight.
That w/be something worth celebrating this Christmas.
I want to close this brief reflection with a 80 sec video about the one that lights up your Christmas and lights up your life!
1973 Willis Wheatley (a Canadian) drew a picture called: The Laughing Christ
Footnote: Sermon preached at St Mary’s Hospital Carol Service I.o.Wight 2016
