Christmas Day 2022 Sermon

Christmas Day 2022 Salvation

Salvation means the reversal of whatever is wrong and making it right.

The blind see, the lame walk, the evil repent. Even nature can turn from arid to fertile, hostile to friendly.

The moral sphere is the most important - sinners become saints.

But the saving work of God can be seen at all levels. Whatever the problem He will bring us closer to Himself, the source of all goodness and right order.

Everything from finding a lost object to the salvation of souls, God has it in His nature to heal, to bless, to restore.

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.(Ps 147, 3)

He casts down the mighty from their thrones, and raises the lowly (Lk 1,52)

I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh (Ez 36,26)

Salvation goes on all year. At Christmas we focus a little more as we contemplate the Crib scene and the peace and order which emanate from there.

Christmas is partly celebrating what we already have in the way of salvation, and partly praying for what still needs to happen. The world is still sadly short of where it could be in receiving the Saviour in its midst.

Those who have faith cannot rest out of complacency or despair.

Complacency is thinking all the necessary work is done; there is nothing left for us to worry about.

Despair is thinking that we are beyond salvation; there is no way out of here for the human race.

We keep pressing on, to bring the knowledge of Christ to all of creation.

Many do not know where to look for salvation. There are many false turnings and dead ends. Only in Jesus Christ can salvation be achieved.

We cannot do this without Him. With Him, however, we can do much, and we must do that which falls to us.

Salvation is God's initiative, but does need our responsiveness. It is a gift that must be opened,

Mercy is not forced on us, but is there as long as there is daylight left to us.

We seek by our prayer, good works, good example, to bring others to where they can be healed of whatever ails them; whatever is out of place to its proper place.

The Church at the human level does not always give the best example, but it is Christ we proclaim, not ourselves.

If He is sought after then there will be abundant blessings in all directions.

For whatever reason we might not ask, but if we would persevere there would be a flood of grace and mercy.

We call down mercy first of all; then a change of heart for each person; then that those who do experience God's mercy will be willing to make Him known to others.

Those He touches will be his disciples. We can assume that all those people Jesus healed would have lived better lives as a result.

We still pray for other things of moment, such as protection from fire and flood, and a hundred other evils.

And peace on earth, the weapons to be used for peaceful purposes (swords into ploughshares).

The Crib scene strikes us with its peaceful appearance. Everyone in that scene was striking the right note. There was no ego, no competitiveness; only goodwill to all.

This is how we are invited to respond. Bury our grudges and our pride; put away the desire for revenge, the quest for earthly riches and recognition.

We empty ourselves to be refilled with something better.

In a word, salvation changes us for the better, and so for all who seek it.