WREATHS & EVERGREENS

People who know their Bible stories may turn to Jeremiah chapter eighteen to find the potter and the clay, but he was not the only prophet to be inspired by this practical artistry. Isaiah sixty-four speaks also of people as clay and God as potter. There is a remoulding that can be done in everyone’s life.

To show regret, to confess sin, and to seek forgiveness happens a lot in the scriptures. As we set the big wreaths and evergreens alight now, we hear that ‘we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.’ Evergreen leaves and branches - especially those in the circle of a wreath - are a sign of things that endure. And in God’s Kindom, peace and goodness, beauty and bounty are promised as the things that last. The failings of our own lives get swept away, even forgotten, in the grace of God. We get remoulded.

TREES

We light up the Christmas trees - we have four of them now - with the reading of a part of the family tree of Jesus of Nazareth. This is how Matthew the gospel-writer starts the whole story. With ‘who’s your father,’ and mother, going back centuries.

Perhaps you will have decorations on a Christmas tree that make it like a family tree: ornaments that were from mother and father and grandmother and grandfather and aunt and uncle and cousin, and so on. Maybe some ornaments even have pictures of people - or pets! My tree at home will have some of these.

These church trees have simple ornaments and lights. Though, this littlest tree is different. It seemed to want to be colourful. There must be a story here. Can you imagine a story, about this little tree? It belongs here, and yet it is unique. Just like you. Like me.

GIFTS

When you read the whole First Letter to the Corinthians, all ten pages, you will find it wonderful that they get praised here at the start of Paul’s letter. That early Church has plenty of troubles to be sorted out, but they are still enriched by Christ Jesus, and not lacking any spiritual gifts. Paul gives thanks for these people, who are patiently waiting for more of Jesus, and will eventually be perfected.

Far from perfect, we here today also have many gifts to offer. Our financial sharing is one part. Our tangible gifts all through December, in lots of places, are other gifts. The time we give to get good things done, to serve at a tea or luncheon, to pack food boxes, to sing in a singing group - all are generous acts. The gifts, wrapped in colourful paper or slipped into a card, are bits of joy given to others. And the quality time we spend with people - our own presence - becomes a present.

Now, the ushers prepare to receive the offering gifts.

POINSETTIAS

The poinsettia is a great plant, and deeply planted now in our Christmas culture. It has been associated with Christmas since the 16th century, in Mexico. It is not too hard to keep alive, even for years, as a houseplant. Its blood-red colour has a natural affinity for the blood of Jesus in our Faith story. And like the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus, the poinsettias have a certain beauty.

Star-like, the poinsettia shouts Christmas to us. Perhaps all the decor of the season will point us towards some real hope. Like the Genesis words ‘let the light of Your countenance shine upon us,’ the phrase of Psalm 80 gives a hopeful blessing. ‘Smile Your blessing smile: That will be our salvation.’

Perhaps that is all anyone needs, any one of us. To know the smile of God, shining upon us. To sense that God has come back.

As you walk by any poinsettia, you know it was not grown in some greenhouse somewhere just for you. But there it is, smiling up at you, with vibrant red, or white, or pink bracts. You receive the gift of that beautiful sight, almost smiling at you. So, also receive the smile of God upon you, in the many ways you might glimpse that. Let this be our prayer: Smile your blessing Smile: That will be our salvation.