This year we have celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and paid tribute to her life of devotion and service.  We have hosted the Olympic and Paralympics Games with extraordinary achievements by young athletes brought about by hard training, perseverance and courage. 

We have also heard news of people who are suffering as a result of the economic recession, the shocking allegations of abuse by a well known celebrity and the sad news of the death of a nurse following a hoax ‘phone call. Life has been described as ‘bitter sweet’ because in the real world there is always both joy and pain.

This was the world into which Jesus Christ was born and in his own life we see examples of joy and suffering, and yet the Christian message is primarily one of joy.  Joy is not some temporary ‘quick fix’ brought about by money, drink or drugs; real joy goes much deeper. It is suffering that has been overcome, as we saw in the achievements of some of the Olympians and Paralympians, and nothing can take such joy away. 

Christianity has been described as a ‘down to earth’ religion because Jesus came to earth to share our joys and sorrow and to teach by word and example the meaning of life. The real Christmas message lies beyond the tinsel and the cards. It is that Jesus is God’s gift to the world and receiving that gift can be a source of joy this year and every year.

+ Dominic Monmouth