Christmas Message from the Minister
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The Advent season always encourages us to learn and reflect on the word of God. It affirms that we are living by His grace and His truth, and that is the beginning of our Christian faith. Jesus came as a son of God and Mary’s son, so He was full of divinity and humanity to show the love of God the Father to the whole world. He came to build relationships with people. He came to die for our sins. Whoever believed in His name, he gave the power to become children of God.
The birth of Jesus is still the sign and symbol for the whole world to understand that God lives with us and amongst us. Christmas narratives from the Gospel explicitly reveal each character’s unique individuality and God’s purpose for everyone is distinctive. E.g. Mary accepted God’s call to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph was called to fulfill the divine responsibility with Mary to take care of the child Jesus. Shepherds were chosen to proclaim the birth of the Messiah. The wise men were chosen to be guided and to declare that Jesus was the king of the Jews. Each one played their part to fulfil God’s purpose in their lives.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives humanity eternal peace. As we are all longing to see peace in the world, Jesus’ birth narratives encourage us to understand that we are also chosen to establish peace in the world regardless of any place having unspeakable conflict situations.
Advent recollects that the place of Jesus’ birth was unwanted and uncomfortable in Bethlehem. Mary as a Mother and Jesus as a child were vulnerable in the society. The shepherds were told of a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
In this contemporary world, we can identify Mary’s life story during the birth of her son Jesus with so many pregnant women’s life stories where they are longing to have someone to hear their cry or understand their pain, or to just stand beside them. We can identify with the mothers of newborn babies who look for a comfortable place to lay their beautiful and crying child. Inevitably we also hear, even in the midst of these vulnerable women’s and babies’ life situations, that there are generous hands from the community ready to help them. Their hands can be identified as Joseph’s generous hands given to Mary and baby Jesus.
The days of advent are the days of looking for opportunities to share the generous love of Christ in our midst. Whether we live in a comfortable place or an uncomfortable place, the compassion and mercy of God can be exhibited as we are all carrying the image of God.
We are surrounded by families who need our appropriate helping hands in their children’s spiritual and physical development, and by families who need our comfort during their grief. Advent motivates us to be the channel of motivating others with hope and love and to share Angel Gabriel’s encouraging words not to be afraid because Jesus Christ and His ever-living presence are in our midst.
As London Tamil Christian Congregation we show our distinctive ecumenical journey of our Christian faith, hope and love. We share individually and corporately the joy of the birth of Jesus with those who are in need, and we are witnesses to the newborn baby Jesus’ life which began in Bethlehem.
May this Advent season prepare us to be the people of living and sharing, of demonstrating a Christ-like nature, for many people to understand and embrace the love of God.
May I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Advent and Christmas season!
Revd. Jessie Anand - Minister - LTCC
December 2023