Is 9:2-4, 6-7; Tit. 2:11-14; Lk. 2:1-16
Thousands
of years ago, God gave a promise to his people that a great Light would be
seen. For those who were walking in the darkness, a Light would shine on
them. About 2000 years ago this promise was realized, and a great
light shone on the city of Jerusalem.
light shone on the city of Jerusalem.
This
light brought great joy for some and terror for some. The shepherds were filled
with joy as they saw the multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing,
"Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace among those whom
He favoured!" As guided by the Angels, the shepherds went to Bethlehem to
find Baby Jesus that the Lord God had announced to them.
Tonight,
we share in the joy of the shepherds.
The Story
of Christmas Spiders gives the message that Christmas is a time to share
the joy.
In a
quiet cottage in the woods lived a gentle widow and her eight children. The
widow worked very hard to keep her children warm and well-fed, but money was
not plentiful. When the air grew crisp, and the snow began to fall, the widow
knew Christmas was coming. But instead of feeling joyful as the holiday
approached, she felt sadness and sorrow. She knew that she did not have enough
money to buy her children any gifts to open on Christmas morning.
"I
cannot afford new toys or books," she thought, walking home through the
woods one night. "What will I give my children?"
"Perhaps
a Christmas tree would make my children happy," the widow sighed.
She chose
a small but beautiful evergreen, and brought it to the cottage.
For
hours, the widow carefully decorated the fragrant tree branches with colourful
fruits, bits of ribbon, and Christmas cookies. Then she blew out her
candle and went to bed, hoping the tree would make her children's empty
Christmas a little bit brighter.
While the
tired widow slept, tiny spiders crept from the cracks and corners of the
cottage. They had watched her hard at work, decorating the tree for her
children. Onto the branches they jumped, spinning delicate strands of silky web
which gracefully covered the small tree from trunk to top. It was a beautiful
sight.
When the
family awoke on Christmas morning, they could not believe their eyes. The webs
of silk had been turned into pure silver, covering the tree with dazzling
brightness! The widow watched her children sing and dance around the beautiful
shining tree, she knew it would be a wonderful Christmas after all!
From that
day forward, people have hung strands of shiny silver tinsel on their Christmas
trees in honour of the poor widow and her tiny Christmas spiders.
Christmas
invites the whole creation to share in this joy. At the same time we also find
some forces working against it. When the Angels were singing "Glory
to God in the Highest" and shepherds were sharing the joy in the fields in
the Palace of Herod there were dark designs to execute the new born babes and
bring bloodshed and misery in the kingdom.
The same
situation is seen in the world around us too. On the one side there is the
message of Christmas announcing peace to the world. On the other side there are
dark forces at work to destroy that peace. They work in many ways.
It is our
personal decision that to which side we choose to be.
Christmas
will become meaningful if we can bring a little smile on the face of someone.
It can be done in many ways. Give someone a compliment. We always think
it so. Let us express it. Do not be afraid to share a compliment as we
make someone's day with this small gesture. Share a smile even with strangers.
We will be rewarded with a smile back.
Wish you
All Merry Christmas filled with the joy and blessings of child Jesus.
Satish