Confusion

I find the time between Christmas and New Years Day can be very confusing. That can be quite confusing in the Church as well. As we move towards a new year so there are  a number of saints that the Church remembers.  First of these is the first Christian martyr Stephen on 26th December. Then there is John the Apostle and Evangelist on 27th December and the Holy Innocents on 28th. 

I think that the idea of things not being normal fits well with the gospel reading for Sunday (Luke 2:15-21). The reading tells of an incredible time as Jesus was born. Incredible to us and also to those who were there. To be honest though, it must have been rather confusing. I think that everyone who had an encounter with God experienced something confusing. 

Firstly, there was Joseph. His life was sorted out, he was betrothed to a young woman named Mary. The financial agreements between his family and Mary’s family would have been finalised. Life was carrying on as expected. Life was good, but then… shock horror, Mary had some news that shook Joseph’s world.

The lovely young lady to whom he was to be married announced that she was pregnant. He knew for sure that he wasn’t the dad. But then, in case he thought of getting out of the situation an angel informed him in a dream that Mary was not to blame. (Matthew 1:20-21)  Joseph had an encounter with God that was far from normal.

Then there were the shepherds, who to be fair, were just doing their jobs when suddenly there was a bright light and singing. Confused – may have been the right description but they had a message from some angels. A message which caused them to find a baby and not just this but to be so excited that they ran out and told everyone what had happened!!  The shepherds had an encounter with God that was far from normal.

Then we read of Mary. I feel sorry for her, she had just given birth when suddenly some shepherds came to visit.  This must have been confusing, yet we read that Mary treasured these things but not just in a ‘what lovely memories these will make’ kind of way. She really thought about them, she pondered them – what did this all mean? Mary had an encounter with God that was far from normal.

The gospel reading has elements that must have confused people. Of course, with the knowledge that Jesus came to save us it makes more sense. Strangely perhaps my biggest comfort comes from the epistle reading Galatians (4:4-7). In this reading there is the reminder that God sent His son to die for us. Not just this, but we are all children of God and able to call Him Father. 

I don’t do new years resolutions really as I can never decide what to do.  However, I do like to set myself a challenge. The challenge for this year is that I will remind myself everyday that, “I am a child of God and He loves me.” I want this to be my most used phrase in 2023.