December 18, 2024

Merry Christmas from St. Andrew’s Hall

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2: 6 & 7

 

“The Annunciation”, after Leonardo da Vinci, by Presbyterian student William Burr

Birthdays are special occasions.  I’m sure that right now you could name not only your own birthday (of course!), but also the birthdays of friends and family, dear loved ones whose lives have helped shaped your own for good.  At St. Andrew’s Hall, we’ve had a long standing tradition of recognizing the birthdays of all our employees.  In fact, we just did so this week.  Thanks to the Dean’s Executive Assistant Mavis Ho, notice goes out to all staff about a birthday and a beautiful cake appears for us to greet our co-worker in the SAH Centre and sing them the Happy Birthday song.

Well, Christmas is also about a birthday.  A special birthday that the whole world remembers, that draws us together and while we may not sing the usual birthday song instead we sing “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” and “Joy to the World.”  At Christmas, the whole world pauses to remember the birth of Jesus.  In Christian tradition we know this birth to be the historic, transformative event of God coming to the world with “skin on” in Jesus Christ.  Just as we gather to sing “Happy Birthday” to friends, coworkers or loved ones throughout the year, this birthday celebrated on December 25th is, in the words of Presbyterian theologian Eugene Peterson, an “event for everyone.”  As you near the end of this term and look forward to a well-deserved break from your studies with friends and family, I invite you to add your voice to the chorus singing birthday greetings all around us.  Together, our voices proclaim the good news for all that God has come to share life in all its abundance with us through the power, presence and purpose of Jesus Christ.

 

A Prayer at Christmas (Church of Scotland)

Today, O God, the soles of your feet have touched the earth.

Today, the back street, the forgotten place have been lit up with significance.

Today, the households of earth welcome the King of Heaven.

For you have come among us, you are one of us.

So may our songs rise to surround your throne as our knees bend to salute your cradle.

Amen.