It is often said that Christmas is a time for children and, of course, it is.  For didn't Jesus Himself say:- "Unless you become like little children you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven".  Here the Lord is issuing a Gospel call to fundamental conversion.  Perhaps we have always regarded conversion as having to do with becoming a holy person - but Jesus tells us it has more to do with becoming like a little child.  Spiritual progress can only be made once we realise our total dependence upon God, our Heavenly Father.

The Lord calls us all to be 'child-like' not 'childish'.  In this we are following His own example because the message of Christmas is all about God humbling Himself and being born 'as man' in a stable in Bethlehem.  In the time of Jesus children were not as highly regarded as they are today, they were completely lacking in any form of power.  So in urging us to become like little children, Jesus is encouraging us to embrace powerlessness - to regard nothing to be of greater importance than our dependence on and our relationship with God.  Once that is central then we begin to grow spiritually.

Christmas offers to us all the ideal opportunity to set out on a spiritual journey.  Mary and Joseph themselves set out in good faith on a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem – there in a humble cave (not a palace) the Blessed Virgin “gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger”.  Then shepherds and Wise Men set out on their spiritual pilgrimage to worship and pay homage to the new born king.

The Christmas Gospel itself urges us to join in that same spiritual journey and take that first tottering step when it states with great power and majesty - “In the beginning”.
So don't allow Christmas to pass you by without looking at the essential meaning of this holy season with its Invitation to Follow Christ and, with Him, to become like 'little children'.

Children have a wonderful capacity to respond to mystery with awe and wonder.  Do come along and share in the sheer excitement of the Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship.  Let the message of the Christmas Gospel enchant you.  Allow the worship to lift you into the presence of the One who never changes - our Lord and our God.  Let the “good spell” or gospel turn each one of you into a little child.  For through worship we are given joy.  When Christ's Joy comes to someone they are changed.  The Joy of Christ makes us all finer, nobler, kinder, more forgiving people.

So may you all experience something of a Child-like - Christ-like Joy this Christmas.

With Christmas Blessings,
FATHER DAVID