Startle Hurt with Joy

‘ Startle Hurt with Joy’

There are quite a few things stuck to my fridge door: a photograph of my nephew and nieces; times for the number 4 bus; a picture of my cat stretched out in the sun whilst balanced precariously on an upturned wheelbarrow; my ticket to a Hogmany ceilidh; various magnets including, of course, one of the Duke of Wellington with a traffic cone on his head.

I also have the motto, ‘Keep Smiling. Play the Game. Quarrelling is Taboo’. I saw these words carved along the outside of a building in Stirling and, seeing them for the first time a number of years ago, I wrote them down as their slightly old fashioned hearty challenge brought a smile to my face!

I also have the words, ‘Startle Hurt with Joy’, words spoken here in this church as part of a prayer one Sunday morning.

Thinking about these sayings and phrases again I found they reminded me of the immense hope Christmas presents us with. Hearing once again of Christ born into the world, ‘Christ with us’, Christ living alongside us, not only ‘encapsulates the excitement, preparation and celebration of new things beginning, but also shares the news of worry, pain, sadness and loss... ‘. (1)

We think again of the words read tonight describing Mary as being ‘deeply troubled’ when she learnt that she was pregnant. But the angel spoke words of peace to her, and said, “Don’t be afraid”; he encouraged courage because God was with Mary and was beginning a new and wonderful thing in the world.

We have read of Joseph, desperately wanting to do the right thing, caught in a quandary between his devotion to God, his deep love for Mary and the constraints of his culture and what others would think. But God’s messenger exhorts Joseph, ”Do not be afraid”. God is at work here; a new hope is on its way.

And we have heard again of the shepherds, living on the physical and social edge of society, but picked out to be the first to hear the news of Christ’s birth. And they were terrified and once again the angel says, “Don’t be afraid”. He has wonderful news; news of great joy for them and for the entire world.

‘ Keep Smiling? Play the Game? Quarrelling is Taboo’? God comes quietly and compassionately in human form when joy has waned, when our courage is low, when it is hard to smile. He comes when we stand up to play a different game, not necessarily one of conformity, but one which challenges and confronts and quarrels to bring justice and peace to lives near and far. God comes to be with us often when we least expect it, inviting us, welcoming us, longing to share with us the new things he wants to do in our lives and in the world.

But how? And where? And in what ways? ‘ Startle Hurt with Joy’

‘God with us’ is ‘the message of God's passion for the world. It is found in the ways others offer support and care when emotions are overwhelming. God is with us when our tears are shared, and wiped and dried; when our hand is held; or in an embrace which says all that words have failed to say’. (2)

In a few minutes we will all have the opportunity to receive communion and in doing so we are reminded of the presence of Christ with us. Sharing communion together sums up the message of Christmas; that God comes among us, willingly giving up everything for us, wanting to be with us, not only tonight, but beyond this night and ever on into the future. God is with us and invites us to walk a new path with him.

This is the startling and wonderful message of Christmas.

And the skies erupted with the sound of angels joyfully singing; glorious, immense and utterly overwhelming. Hurt was beginning to be startled by joy.

(1 & 2): words taken from an Advent reflection by Rev MaryAnn Rennie.