Merry Christmas!

Ask God for the miracle of faith.

I write this to you as my eldest stands besides the Christmas tree singing carols, unprompted. Some days are truly good days.

There is something terrifying about the idea that the Creator of the Universe took the humility of human flesh, and entered into time and space as a mere baby in a dark manger. It is, on the face of it, an improbable claim, a revolutionary claim, with profound implications.

The birth of Jesus Christ was first announced by the angels to mere shepherds. Shepherds contend with dark nights, wild animals, inclement weather, predatory rulers, and bandits. They are guardians and protectors of the vulnerable. Yet they occupy the lowest rungs in the social hierarchy. They combine simplicity, humility, and responsibility.

In the grand scheme of things, we are all shepherds. Practically no one reading this missive (or writing it), will be remembered more than some random shepherd. The birth of Christ in a manger, recognised initially only by shepherds, invites us to accept our own simplicity and humility, and to have faith.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:10-11.

Men often claim to be too wise to have faith, to know too much about The Science™. Indeed, that was my own position for many years. Perhaps to humble us, the gospels include the story of the Wise Kings, who chased a star halfway across their world to worship the One True King. The kings, according to GK Chesterton, represent mysticism, philosophy, and science bowing before the Church and proper theology. For it is because we worship the Logos in human form that we can use philosophy and science (less so mysticism, these days) to explore the Truth, rather than merely using our learning as a tool to further our own interests. Without dedication to a higher Truth, a Truth as mystery that is inaccessible in its fullness to us, yet deserving of worship, we cannot, given our human limitations, truly seek the truth for its own sake. For learning to be an end in itself, rather than merely a base instrument, we must dedicate ourselves and our learning to a greater Truth than ourselves.

“And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.

What is the alternative to the kingship of the Wise Men who diligently discern signs in the heavens to seek Christ? It is the kingship of Herod. His position threatened by the arrival of the Messiah, Herod commands his soldiers to murder every last infant they can get their hands on, just so he would not have to acknowledge that there is an Authority above his. Herod attempts the destruction of all truths just to avoid submitting to The Truth.

Christmas is the time for miracles. Ask God for the miracle of faith, that we may all be better shepherds, and that we may deserve better kings.

Merry Christmas, and a Blessed Feast of St Stephen.