Merry Christmas and God's blessings

 

Then, I was 10 years old. I began to see life in a completely new way and had to change my priorities. 

 

I knew there were things I was doing then, which had to stop. Following in the way of Jesus made all the difference. And this is exactly what we need today — a new vision. 

 

Wherever we happen to live in the world, we are all feeling the effects of the global recession. Things look pretty bleak financially, even for many in the UK, who had gotten used to a comfortable lifestyle and are now having to face the reality that money does not grow on trees. 

 

People living in poverty, wherever they are, will always come off worst at times like this. What we desperately need is a global vision to unite and inspire everyone for development growth and for humanity to flourish. Wishful thinking? We need to see the vision made real. Christmas does exactly that. 

 

In Jesus, born in Bethlehem, born a baby and born a King, we find God made visible. In Christ, we begin to see the way forward for everyone. “Followers of The Way” was the earliest description of the Church. We try to live Jesus’ way, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God our Father.  

 

He was born a baby just like us. When I was born, I was not expected to live. I was a sickly child. Humanity is fragile, yet the almighty God invests himself 100% in a human infant — in Jesus, born among us, Emmanuel, God with us. 

 

This for me, means that any new vision must embrace the weak, the vulnerable and the people who have no one to speak for them. Sometimes, we forget when celebrating the victory of Christ, that He identified with sinners in his baptism and fully shared our humanity. We need to recognise that vulnerable humanity in others, and in ourselves. 

 

And when we do, it will mean we cannot help, but look with eyes of compassion. Then we will be more ready to understand, to forgive and to help, rather than judge or condemn others. 

 

Jesus of Nazareth was also born a King — different from most of us. Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, the city of David, reminds us that this was not a private family affair, but a public event and of international significance. 

 

First, the shepherds, after being summoned by the Angel and the Multitude of the Choir of Heaven came; then the Magi came from the East to worship. Herod the dictator saw the child Jesus as a threat.  

 

Jesus is a challenge to the rulers of the world. He demonstrates supreme authority in a life of service, of truth-telling and of personal integrity. There is no razzmatazz about Jesus’ form of authority. He comes among us as a servant, born in the likeness of men, and is humble and obedient to his Father in heaven. He is ready to pay the price of authority. He lays down his life for us all. 

 

I shall be cooking Christmas dinner as usual for my staff in the Diocese of York. I love cooking, and I like to see them enjoying each other’s company. I want them to know I appreciate the hard work and service they offer. 

 

This Christmas, let us welcome the Christ child, Jesus, one of us, yet King of all. With the shepherds, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2.15). In thanksgiving, let us offer him both the worship of our hearts and the service of our lives.

 

A very Happy Christmas to everyone! And God’s blessing for the coming year. 

And, on a personal note, may God bless the new Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, as he begins his new ministry among you this Christmas!