Twelfth Night

Sermon for Sunday 28th December 2014 Christmas 1
 
Revd Alan Horner was a Methodist minister who inspired many people during his time as a circuit minister, superintendent and district chair (including chairing the Methodist church in Scotland). I was privileged to know him in his retirement when he lived in Milton Keynes and was involved with the Living Spirituality Network. Over the Christmas period I have chosen some poems written by Alan to share with you as we consider together the wonder of Christ’s coming among us. Today, I would like to share with you a poem called


Twelfth night

Now is the ebbing, now:
the cards collapse;
the bald tree lies shorn of baubles;
the lights laid low in their unbright box;
candles are cold; figures
no longer in focus return to rest.
Only the gifts remain.

The angels are 'gone away';
the shepherds 'returned';
the Magi 'departed another way';
and Joseph with Mary fled.
She must not mind, but mind
her son, pondering these things.
Only this gift remains.

Alan Horner


Only one gift matters. Not the gold, frankincense or myrrh. Only the child in which the presence of God is with us. Jesus, the man who showed us what God's love looks like by his words and actions, his dying and his rising; He is the only gift who lasts beyond time and is given to all of humanity. He came not only for Mary, for Bethlehem shepherds, for Eastern Magi, but for us, right here and right now.

Mary pondered these things, and we continue to do so. Pondering isn't enough though. Mary followed her son, supported him, prayed and joined the church that continued his task of showing God's love to the world. We succeed to her task. But what does that mean for us?

At this time of year one of the most popular Christmas carols is 'In the bleak midwinter'. I confess, I'm not a fan myself - the historian in me objects to the transplanting of the nativity into a British setting, the insistence on treating historical inaccuracies as truth. But I will forgive all of this for the sentiment of the last couple of lines. What can I give him? Give my heart. The gift of Jesus remains, and that gift demands nothing but wants the best that we can offer in return. God loves us and wants us to love Him. God wants our hearts.

As we live out our love for Jesus, we can do that by seeking to follow Him, and there are many ways that we can do this and encourage others to do so too. You do it by prioritising worship and prayer - just as you are now by being here today - and encouraging others to do the same. You do it by serving others. I am very aware of the love that is shown amongst members of the church communities here in Living Brook, and I'm glad of it. I was talking to Iris just after Christmas, and she told me how very thankful she is to all the people who show her kindness by helping with practical things and by checking to make sure that she is ok. I am thankful to, to everyone who shows such kindness to Iris and all of our community. Keep on doing all that you are doing. Some of you may feel able to develop this caring approach, and be supported as you do so, by joining the Pastoral Support Group.

Following Jesus, and living a life that gives him our hearts, is not always an easy matter. Today we are going to join in a tradition established by our Methodist sisters and brothers, and included in Church of England liturgies as part of Common Worship. It is called the Renewal of the Covenant, and gives us an opportunity to reiterate that giving of the heart, setting out what it means for us to offer that gift in response to the great gift that Jesus has given to us.