How was your Christmas?

Nativity at House 12, designed by Mercy and Josiah Neal

On the day, it was a full day, but a lovely day.

I'd gone to the Sacred Heart Cathedral for midnight mass on Xmas Eve (at 8pm, but that's when they do it). The Gospel, Luke 2.1-20, became a simple but spellbinding live nativity as young people walked us through the story and created the stable scene. It was done carefully, sensitively, and narrated skilfully, with no hurry or fuss. I was so impressed and admiring of the catechists who'd worked with the young people to achieve this. With 'nativity plays' I'm convinced we should trust the power of simplicity more, allowing the Gospel to live and breathe without undue decoration. 

In his sermon, The Archbishop of Suva, Peter Loy Chong, reminded us that no-one would have these nativity narratives without the witness and commitment of real disciples, on fire to share faith. 'We only have these stories to tell, because those who gave them to us had first found life through Jesus'. I've thought about that a lot and am grateful to him.

Up at 6.00 Christmas Day to be with my 'regulars' - the Nanuku congregation at 8.00. Deaconess Ruth Prakash took the service, wearing cheerful, festive red and gold instead of her usual Deaconess's blue and white uniform - a little to the congregation's surprise, but truly celebratory! It's always great to benefit from her brightness and energy. Little by little my comprehension of Fijian-Hindi is improving and I'm much better at the bhajans now. The only English-speaking service option I could get to after that was again at the Sacred Heart at 10. (The Prots had started early!) Fr Donal; retired, Irish, been in Suva forever, brimming with enthusiasm, presided at Word and Table. 'GOD becomes a BABY!' he exclaimed, eyes alight, face flushed, as though this had struck him for the first time. 'It's - it's an ENORMOUS mystery! God's love brought right down to earth in a smelly old stable. For us. Children - you MUST come and see baby Jesus in the crib after Mass'. And many did.

Back home about 12 in time to deliver the remaining plates of mince pies still waiting for a home. Food moves my way too: delicious plates of chicken and fish and fruit and coconut milk brought as gifts. It's most definitely the  Pacific way to share food with neighbours and ensure that no-one misses out on the Christmas feasting. You feel so blessed and humbled. The fridge groans and shudders slightly more than normal... 

Then Crystal Valerie - who else?! - makes her appearance along with Mum and Dad, kindly bearing gifts - and more food. It was so kind of them to come - a fair way by taxi - and make a Xmas Day visit to House 12. 

So then, it was time to settle down and raid the fridge, right? Well no, because Yogesh, a frequent and faithful colleague in ministry because of his taxi service! - invited me to his place to meet his wife Shobna, son Nelson and other family members. So, chauffered each way by his immense kindness, I had a lovely time getting to know Yogesh's folks, and was fed royally. Thanks everyone. You're the best.

And all of a sudden it was about 8.00pm. Some present unwrapping followed and then a number of Skypes, What's Apping and texting from 9pm onwards. Good to see and speak to Nigel and Richard and cousin David among others as their Xmas day was beginning and mine was ending.

My Christmas Day was peaceful, full of  worship, friendship, food and festivity. It was also uneventful weather-wise. Not so for those in flood damaged areas of the UK, Brazil, Argentina etc. Nor for those tornado-struck in the US. 

When we're enjoying peace and pleasure, we can't help but ache for those experiencing quite the opposite. And so we pray...

God, in coming to us as a vulnerable new-born,

you heighten our longing to shelter and protect those who need it most.

We give thanks for those who have opened inns and stables, homes and halls this Christmas, 
so that neighbours; known and unknown, 
may be kept warm, dry, secure and reassured. 
We praise you that, through their example,

Your Gospel Lives.

Amen

Chennai and Cumbria