The cause of the Christian’s rejoicing starts from the historical facts which are commemorated during the Church’s Year – now once again beginning – facts which are re-enacted in the Christian’s spiritual life, that is, in his or her relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

So after this solemn season Advent, there is the joyful festival of Christmas when we celebrate how our Saviour came down among us and was born into this world of ours with the angels singing their hymn of joy above the hills of Bethlehem.

And we too, like the shepherds, have our tidings of joy still today.  For at our Baptism Our Lord has so united himself to us that we can share his life and he can share ours – share, that is, not only the course we are given to pursue but also our inmost hearts.  In the words of the carol:

“How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him,
still the dear Christ enters in”. (1)