LETTER FROM THE ECUMENICAL MODERATOR
christmas
MURDOCH MACKENZIE
december 2001
Dear Friends,
These words of Christina Rossetti written in 1886 are as true today as they ever were. In the URC hymnbook 'Rejoice and Sing' they are placed significantly in the section headed 'Love in Action' and not with the Christmas carols.
To come right up to date we have the words of John Bell and Graham Maule's carol sung to the tune 'Scarlet Ribbons' which speak to us of that same love in action. They are peculiarly relevant this Christmas.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. As St Thomas Aquinas said: ' What God's Son has told me, take for true I do; Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.' God's Son has told us that unless we also are reborn like a child we cannot become truly human and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thus we sing with Philip Brooks and with Charles Wesley
Thus as we contemplate God's world this Christmas, full of refugees, just like the Christ-child, let us share in God's love in action as we pray these words:
'Let there be peace one earth and let it begin with me!'
May God bless the whole world this Christmas.
Murdoch MacKenzie
- Love came down at Christmas,
- love all lovely, love divine;
- love was born at Christmas,
- star and angels gave the sign.
- Worship we the Godhead,
- love incarnate, love divine:
- worship we our Jesus:
- but wherewith for sacred sign?
- Love shall be our token,
- love be yours and love be mine,
- love to God and all men,
- love for plea and gift and sign.
These words of Christina Rossetti written in 1886 are as true today as they ever were. In the URC hymnbook 'Rejoice and Sing' they are placed significantly in the section headed 'Love in Action' and not with the Christmas carols.
To come right up to date we have the words of John Bell and Graham Maule's carol sung to the tune 'Scarlet Ribbons' which speak to us of that same love in action. They are peculiarly relevant this Christmas.
- Who would think that what was needed
- to transform and save the earth
- might not be a plan or army
- proud in purpose, proved in worth?
- Who would think, despite derision,
- that a child should lead the way?
- God surprises earth with heaven,
- coming here on Christmas Day.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. As St Thomas Aquinas said: ' What God's Son has told me, take for true I do; Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.' God's Son has told us that unless we also are reborn like a child we cannot become truly human and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thus we sing with Philip Brooks and with Charles Wesley
- O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
- mild he lays his glory by,
- descend to us, we pray;
- born that we no more may die,
- cast out our sin, and enter in,
- born to raise the sons of earth
- be born in us today.
- born to give us second birth.
Thus as we contemplate God's world this Christmas, full of refugees, just like the Christ-child, let us share in God's love in action as we pray these words:
'Let there be peace one earth and let it begin with me!'
May God bless the whole world this Christmas.
Murdoch MacKenzie