The Rev Lezley Stewart reflects on the gifts of Christmas

MEDITATION

AS soon as the season of Advent and Christmas begins there are images that spring into my mind.

They come from participating in childhood nativity plays and from the many Christmas cards received over the years – cherub angels, snowmen and Christmas trees, but predominantly quaint images of warm and glowing stable scenes, with a few cute animals for the full effect.

A number of years ago however, my friends who had been travelling in India gave to me the most beautiful of all Christmas cards and one that I still keep.

The card itself is quite plain and made of rough hand-pulped paper with no hint of the treasure that lies within.

But on opening the card you find inside a delicate leaf which is hand painted with a depiction of Mary, Joseph and the Christ child.

It is the fragile nature of the leaf and the intricacy with which the image has been painted which speaks so powerfully to me.

I have to handle it with great care so that leaf does not tear, and I can appreciate the skill and work that it must take to paint on such a fine surface.

While any “nativity scene” will always be an artistic impression, there is something about the simple beauty of this painted leaf that seems more authentic to me somehow.

The gift of Christmas – of the Christ child – is a gift born in powerlessness rather than in strength. It is an image of God’s grace and surprise that speaks of the delicate nature of life and faith – its vulnerability is something that cries out to be treasured.

I sometimes wonder if we miss the real beauty in the Bethlehem story because we are so familiar with the romanticised images that we see.

Christmas is God in mystery breaking into everything that we know and offering a gift, and inviting a response, for the rest of all our days.

The question of what lies behind the manger can take us on a lifetime of discovery.

God’s surprise of love announced in the Christ child is an everyday gift for us to embrace and accept, as well as a daily opportunity for us to embody that gift for others.

It is an invitation to share a faith that lives beyond neat and tidy scenes, but finds its home in the dark and difficult spaces of human experience.

I trust that God will continue to surprise you in this season and beyond.

Miracles of transformation and grace are all around when our lives are open to the gifts another brings.

The “shepherds” and “wise folk” of our times may present in unexpected ways to point us towards Christ as we take our own place in the unfolding Christian story.

“Often, often, often goes Christ in the stranger’s guise….” [Ancient Celtic rune]

God’s surprise of love announced in the Christ child is an everyday gift for us to embrace and accept, as well as a daily opportunity for us to embody that gift for others.

This will be my last Meditation column for Life and Work as I take up a new appointment as Vocations and Support Secretary for the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland. I’ve enjoyed this brief opportunity to reflect with you along the way, and thank you for your correspondence and encouragement.