At Christmas Christians celebrate because our God is not a distant God but a God who dared to become human.

Since he shared in our human life, we believe that we will one day share in his divine life.

'I choose white, but with
Red on it, like the snow
In winter with its few
Holly berries and the one
Robin, that is a fire
To warm by and like Christ
Comes to us in his weakness
But with a sharp song.'

('SONG', R.S.Thomas, 20th Century)

The Christmas Crib

'Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our glory is to stand before the world
as your own sons and daughters.
May the simple beauty of Jesus' birth
summon us always to love
what is most deeply human
and to see your word made flesh
reflected in those whose lives we touch.'

(Collect for the second Sunday after Christmas, Roman Rite)

'The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel, God-with-us.' Isaiah 7:14