Christmas message from Revd Mark Coleman

Newborn baby

Weak and helpless?

“Child discovered in squalid conditions. Baby boy left at risk of serious injury by cattle.” Such a headline would surely make the front page of Rochdale Online. Some tabloid newspapers may focus on the alleged fecklessness of the parents and a possible paternity “scandal”, and yet others would lay blame for the situation at the door of Caesar Augustus who decreed that there should be a Census.

Leaving a baby in the midst of cattle would indeed be a health and safety risk. A little crib is no defence against heavy animals. The baby Jesus was fragile, like all of us at that age. The carol tells us that “the little lord Jesus lay down his sweet head” -but the natural body functioning of cows is not mentioned. But we can imagine the smell! The baby Jesus was vulnerable and defenceless, just like us. This story of Jesus’ birth demonstrates how God became defenceless in that stable, out of love and to share in our humanity. As the carol Once in Royal David’s City has it:

he was little, weak and helpless,

tears and smiles like us he knew.

In our lives we are conditioned to be strong; we must walk tall, we should not cry, wear the stiff upper lip. We human beings like to appear powerful, invulnerable and impressive. We build big, go large, perhaps to show off about ourselves or to try and avoid being hurt.

At time we feel powerless and defenceless. These are moments we don't like to dwell on: such as when stuck in a hospital bed, or alone after being rejected or bereaved.  We are beginning to understand, rather late on the day, that the planet is defenceless too. The beautiful earth is suffering from our excess. We have harmed ourselves by harming mother earth. God’s answer to our fears is Jesus the defenceless baby. At these times, when there’s nothing we can do and our defences are down, we can know the truth that we are loved and precious, just as we are. This is good news, because it is true and from that place of love and truth we can reach out in love to others.

One of the things I love about Christmas are the many wonderful stories in the news of people who give lovingly to others. It’s so inspiring how many want to help the homeless, give refugees a place to stay, visit the isolated. Our Rochdale borough is filled with people with a heart for the helpless. Each Christmas the helpless get blessed by the helpful. Often that kindness is fuelled by a memory of surviving a loss, crisis or health scare.

Notice how Jesus in the crib draws everyone to him. They come from far away following stars and listening to the promptings of angels. Shepherds or Kings, we are disarmed by his vulnerability.  We come before the Holy One who becomes one of us, in human flesh, fragile and vulnerable. We respond with our own love and care.

I hope and pray that in 2020 we live lives that recognise our fragility, and that we care for vulnerable people and planet. May God comfort you when you feel helpless and show you the way to be a bringer of his peace.

May you be blessed with his love and peace this Christmas.

The Revd Mark Coleman, Vicar and Borough Dean of Rochdale