“Hark the Herald” always gets onto the Christmas carol playlist. It tells us a wonderful truth about Christmas. “Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.”
The reason why we remember Christmas is not simply because Jesus was born, and it’s not because Jesus died, it’s because Jesus rose from the dead. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then it wouldn’t matter whether he was born, lived, and died. It’d make no difference to us, because death would be the final word on us, as it would have been the final word for him. But Jesus didn’t stay dead; he is “risen with healing in his wings”.
The Christian hope is that Jesus has defeated death
To understand the good news of Jesus’ birth, we have to look at his defeat of death. The reason why he was born into the world was to bring healing from sin and death. He’s born, he lives, he dies, and he rises, so that death is not the final word on us.
Christmas is usually a time for joy; a time with family and friends, gifts, and holidays. But sometimes it feels like a mere pause in the gloom of life. Over the past month, there’s been the tragedy in Tai Po, the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Our news feeds constantly remind us that our world can be a dark place. Maybe you feel that reality when you think about your own life.
But at Christmas we sing, “Light and life to all he brings”. The Christian hope is that Jesus has defeated death and will one day return, not as a helpless baby in a manger but as a magnificent King. There will be no more darkness, because he will personally put an end to everything that has brought his people pain.
On behalf of the staff and Council of St Andrew’s, Megan and I wish you a wonderful Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
