A baby arrives: lives change. The baby is no longer protected in its maternal home but lives and breathes among us. The parents’ focus moves from the distractions of life in a modern, western democratic country to this tiny helpless individual. Baby needs them.
Babies don’t wait. They arrive when they are ready, sometimes without warning. They are no respecter of schedules, plans or circumstances. A bit like Christmas coming at the same time every year…we do our best to be ready for it.
This year there are multiple forms of chaos or uncertainty around us: rain, locally. Drought in Somalia and Ethiopia. Economic uncertainty nationally and internationally. regime change in Syria, war in Gaza and Ukraine. Neither in the church have we been immune from chaos. But Christmas is still coming, and a church near you will still celebrate it with joy, offering a moment of calm in chaos and bright hope in darkness and uncertainty.
Jesus arrived into the chaos of Bethlehem, to displaced parents – temporarily – but every displaced family clings to the notion it is temporary. Instead of melting into the chaos, his arrival was announced by the angels with joy and met with the eagerness of the shepherds on the hillside. Their eagerness was to spread the news of this remarkable arrival. Such was their enthusiasm that we are telling the story still drawing people to ‘Come and adore him’.
Last year, 20% more people came to church at Christmas than the previous year, bringing attendances near to pre-pandemic levels. So don’t be distracted by arrangements, news, chaos, uncertainty. Let the news of the birth of a saviour distract and draw you whether you feel ready or not. He is a baby after all. Let him draw you into the hope and peace of this season of goodwill. He came with the promise that he shows us what God is like. So why not join those who are drawn to the baby, drawn to the news of great joy or moved by the adoration of others for the baby born in a stable?
Babies. They don’t wait. Christmas is never cancelled. So join us in a church near you to celebrate it.
Rt Revd Dr Tim Wambunya
Bishop of Wolverhampton
Find your nearest church at www.achurchnearyou.com