[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Dec/2025]
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1 v14 (NIV)
At the Thursday Group carol service last week, I tested the group on their knowledge of Christmas carol lyrics — and it turned out to be more difficult than we expected. These hymns and songs are so familiar to us, yet the words can easily wash over us. In doing so, we miss their meaning, their truth, and their honesty.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. [1]
Cast out our sin and enter in. [2]
Unlike Christmas cards, which often portray idyllic festive scenes, carols do not hide the reality of the dark world we live in – a world marked by sin and error, held in its grip. After all, if the world were Christmas-card perfect, there would be no need for a Saviour.
And yet, all too often, Christmas becomes a bubble of cheer and celebration, where the food, the presents, and the television have to be perfect – even if only for a few days. But that is far from reality. So, as you hear the familiar carols and Bible readings this year, try to resist our natural tendency to let them simply wash over us. Take time to pay attention to what you are singing, hearing, and reading.
Allow yourself to be reminded of the honest truth at the heart of Christmas: the world is not as it should be. God’s rescue plan for humanity depended on Him giving up everything and stepping into this dark, messy world, so that He might save humankind.
Resources:
[1] “O holy night”, Placide Cappeau (1847) tr JS Dwight
[2] “O little town of Bethlehem”, Phillips Brooks (1868)
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Last Sunday’s reflection: Love Thy Neighbour by David Makanjuola
Contributed by Martin Shorey; © Martin Shorey