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God surprises Earth with Heaven
Last July our family received an invitation to attend the dedication of the memorial which has been erected in the gardens of the  Natural History Museum in London. A large block of granite which has been inscribed with the names of the 151 British citizens who lost their lives – unexpectedly and tragically - in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Our younger son, Jonathan, was among those who died. Should we go? Almost reluctantly we decided to make the trip - and indeed it was good to be there – to share our memories and listen to the stories.
As yet another Christmas approaches the emotions of the days following the disaster are too easily recalled – above all the feeling of helplessness that engulfed us. I am used to ‘sorting things out’. If I can’t do it myself then I will find someone who can. I have access to funds if these are needed. I am articulate. I have family and good friends.
Perhaps for the first time in my life I was helpless. We were helpless. Really helpless. No-one had information. Access was impossible. No money could buy it or power order it. And it is not a good place to be.
And yet this is where so many folk find themselves. They have no voice, no resources, no one ‘on their side’ to speak for them or be with them. No-one to help fill in the forms or to listen to them. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand this and to imagine how it feels to be in this position.
But isn’t this how God came to us - vulnerable and helpless – as a baby in Bethlehem all those years ago? Love beyond measure and beyond price? Love which took him to the cross?
A God who knows what it is like to be one of us. A God who suffers with us and yet a God who overcomes death and offers us resurrection life and new hope. Emmanuel - God with us.
May this be our Christmas celebration and may we each have the grace to live it and share it.
Angela Hughes December 2011 |
Angela Hughes, 21/12/2011 |
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