Hennie Symington

 “You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. “You are like light for the whole world.” Matthew 5:13-14a

In the face of the effacement of Christmas and all that it means to believers what are we to do to make Christ visible, acceptable and even desirable to those who so avidly celebrate his birth in whatever way they find acceptable to them?

On such as us, followers and disciples of Christ, rests the burden of being with “child” – of carrying the message and bringing fulfilment to the teachings of Christ. Our mission as believers is to give birth to the reality of Christ in our lives and in our times. Yet we have a choice – we can choose to abort the message by rejecting it as God’s truth or we can smother it by placing it under a bushel. Or we can bear it proudly and bring forth goodness, mercy, love and forgiveness in the manner that Jesus taught us to do.

Bringing the message to life is not a once off occurrence as God’s message is constantly renewed as long as the need of this world grows. We are called upon throughout our lives to give birth to the love of God as the Samaritans of this world. In doing so we become co-creators in bringing God’s dream for the world to pass on this earth. And as we bear our burden, to do so with joy and gladness as if doing it for Christ.

Prayer: Christ, bear with us as we bear witness to your birth in a world that does not know you or welcome you. Strengthen us with your spirit. Amen