Rev Rosie writes December 2024
 Rev Rosie Bunn
Rector of All Saints Church, Belton
and
St Peter & St Paul Church, Burgh Castle
For many Christmas is about giving gifts and receiving presents, spending time with family and enjoying good celebratory food. For many too, Christmas is not about presents, family or food
The first Christmas, when Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were not at home and spent the day in less than comfortable surroundings. We know nothing of the food they ate, but Eastern hospitality would have meant that they had food provided- but not quite the rich fayre we have today
As for presents - the gift was Jesus, the Saviour, God’s gift to all humanity. One of the names we might hear at Christmas is Jesus - Immanuel, which means God with us. This gift, of His presence with us is, I believe the best gift ever given and received by those who take it
As a baby, born in unusual circumstances, Jesus was recognised by only a few:
Shepherds who were told about Him by the Angel messengers;
Wise Men who interpreted the sign of a new king born through
the star that they followed on their journey of discovery;
Mary, his mother, who treasured everything and pondered on
those things in her heart
This year, I will have my three grandchildren here in Belton for Christmas. I suspect that some of the present opening might be rather exciting and chaotic, so that it could easily happen that a small gift could get “lost” amongst the wrapping, just as it did in many ways that first Christmas
In Jesus, God came down to earth, born of Mary, God almighty in human form, a vulnerable baby, just like any baby, with nothing to show just who he really was - except if God revealed that information to you. And even if you were told, there was nothing to see; no golden halo (as we often see in Christmas cards or beautiful pieces of art. In Jesus, God became human and lived an ordinary life, growing up and learning, just as we all do. It wasn’t until he was 30 years old and baptised that he very much stood out from the crowd
Christmas and the birth of Jesus is where our celebration of Christmas began - but it only became so significant after Jesus ’ death on the cross, his rising to new life on Easter Day, and his ascension to heaven. Christmas and Easter belong together; neither make sense without the other
Other than the church celebrations, I think the only thing both have in common is the consumption of chocolate (if the numbers of tubs of chocolates and packs of selection boxes in the shops are anything to go by) at Christmas time and the quantities of Easter eggs that will be on the shelves almost as soon as Christmas and New Year are over!
What does Christmas mean to you? Some of the names of Jesus Christ that we hear more around Christmas inform my answer:
Saviour - he came to save us Emmanuel - God with us, Prince of Peace, and Hope of the nations
Whether you have much or little, may you know the presence of Jesus this Christmas as the one who loves you as Saviour and King; the one who is with you always, and can be your hope and peace in uncertain times
There are many events and services over Christmas in Belton and Burgh Castle. Do come and join us and receive Christ’s gift and presence for yourself
Rev Rosie Bunn
images courtesy of Village Voice
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