Christmas Message from Bishop French Chang-Him

Bishop French Chang Him of the Church of England

Christmas, the birth of Christ, is about a promise delivered. The promise – that God would become a human being and live among His people. We know that very likely this did not take place on 25 December. However, all Christian believers agree that Jesus was born of a human mother on a particular date in history. The Christian Church adopted 25 December as early as the year 336, i.e. over 1600 years ago. The date is not important; but the fact of Christ’s birth itself has divide human history and calendar into two parts, before and after His birth – BC and AD.

The arrival of Jesus in the world ONLY became significant for two reasons – His death by crucifixion and His rising from death three days later. This is the bit we often forget – hence the continued sentimentality which surrounds Christmas and Baby Jesus.

The historical reality of the birth and life of Jesus was a very harsh and cruel experience. He was born of a mother who was only engaged to her fiancé, before their marriage. Mary, His mother, risked being stoned to death according to the Jewish custom of that time. Her life was spared by the fact that Joseph, through divine intervention, agreed to marry her and receive her as his wife.

Jesus was born of refugee parents in an occupied territory, Palestine / Israel. He spent his first nights in an animal food trough. He grew up in a backwater village, Nazareth. From the age of twelve until about thirty years of age, almost nothing is known about Him. He wrote nothing. As a wandering preacher, He had a small band of followers, made up mostly of fishermen and other common folk. One of them betrayed Him for money, and then committed suicide; another denied Him. All, but one, deserted Him as He died on the cross.

This is the world God loved so much, and still loves, to leave the peaceful bliss and sinless state of Heaven to come to earth and die for in order to save and restore His people.

The greeting “Merry Christmas” like “Happy Birthday” is well meant. But it is only temporary. What can transform this seasonal greeting into a life-changing experience is found in the name Jesus received at His birth, Emmanuel – God with us. Jesus seeks to journey with us and share the whole of our existence, our joy and our pain, our aspirations and our frustrations. Unless He is part of our lives, guiding and sustaining us, well-meant decisions such as New Year resolutions often do not last beyond the end of January!

Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année!

This warms the heart. It produces a smile. We feel good. We would like this feeling to last – for good – in the family, nation, and throughout the world.

But Christmas greetings alone will never change any society, nor will our annual national mottos on their own. The aspirations of people of goodwill for a better society echo throughout the year. The inspiration comes from far – from the very Source of Love, Peace and Justice.

Jesus, the Baby who grew, lived and died among us and rose again – Emmanuel – wants to grant us the integrity, courage, and honesty to live right.

He wants to take away our selfishness, and give us love.

He wants to take away our hypocrisy and replace it with trust and openness to others.

He wants to take away our bitterness and hurts, and grant us healing and peace of mind.

We love Christmas and the New Year. But most of all, let us love the possibilities that these Festivals offer. As we dream our dreams, let us go one step further. Let us take Jesus, Emmanuel, at His word - “Abide in me and I in you”.

The words of this hymn sums up well what I have been trying to say:

Walk with me, O my Lord

Through the darkest night and brightest day

Be at my side, oh Lord

Hold my hand and guide me on my way.

In return, could we not silently bless each person we come across every day, at all times?

Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas and New Year – shared fully with Him who is ever with us.

(Bishop) French Chang-Him