Musings – Christmas 2025
As we pass the Solstice (earliest sunset and shortest day) and move towards Mid-Winter’s Day (latest sunrise and Christmas Eve) we enter the darkest time of the year. We wait for the light to overtake the darkness … and it starts on Christmas Day. Maybe only a few minutes at each end of the day, but, nevertheless, it starts on 25th December.
So why not make Christmas Day the day of your new start? Sure, the calendar says that the New Year starts on 1stJanuary, but the light begins to bring change from Christmas Day. Perhaps if we set ourselves Christmas resolutions they would work better!?
For over two thousand years people across the world have found a new start as they have found the light of Christ and let Him into their lives. Not just on Christmas Day, not just as a New Year resolution, but every single day around the world people find the new start they need with Jesus.
As we approach 2026, with all that’s going on in the world, we need to find the light to guide us, as the Magi did all those years ago. We need to find the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love we have celebrated in Advent to strengthen our hearts and lives for whatever comes next.
At risk of a cliché: Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas!
On Christmas morning give thanks for the victory of light over darkness and open your hearts to Jesus. Just as the innkeeper opened his shed – despite it not being perfect – not ashamed of what lay inside, just willing to welcome the new life brought by God through Jesus. Celebrate as the shepherds did – without holding back – sharing the Love and Light of Christ with those around us. Start a new journey in faith as the Magi did – heading into the unknown, trusting the guiding light and the testimony of the star – looking for something new.
Let this Christmas be your New Start as you step into the Light of Christ and receive the Love of God shown through the baby born to die. I hope that the Christmas celebrations and services will help you unwrap the greatest gift of all – Jesus and His Love for you. Hear the angels in the Carols. See the star in the bright displays. Find the Christ-child in the familiar story. Only you can open this gift for yourself, no-one else can do it for you.
Have a happy Christmas and may God Bless you in your New start!
A PRAYER for Christmas:
God of Wisdom and Wonder,
we praise You for Your gift of Hope
as we greet Jesus, the Christ-child;
we praise You for Your gift of Peace
as we greet Jesus, the Prince of Peace;
we praise You for Your gift of Joy
as we greet Jesus, the Light of the World;
we praise You for Your gift of Love
as we greet Jesus, the King of Love;
we praise You for past blessings
as we greet a New Year and await Jesus’ return.