Advent Reflection: 16th December - Fiona Lloyd

Every day this Advent we will be sharing reflections from Christian authors. Today's is by Fiona Lloyd.

A Different Kind of Togetherness

For the last few weeks, primary school teachers have been looking increasingly harassed as schools (and churches) up and down the country perfect their nativity performances. Nervous angels with wonky haloes appear before a group of equally nervous shepherds to recite those well-known words: Peace on earth, and goodwill to all. And parents, grandparents and Great Aunt Mildred glow with pride and whisper to one another that this is what Christmas is all about.

It’s a comforting sentiment, this notion of peace and goodwill, especially when we apply it to other people’s behaviour. Surely, we all wish the world was a more peaceful place? Who doesn’t appreciate a little kindness or goodwill, particularly when it’s directed towards ourselves? And so, we nod our assent to the angels’ words, before discarding them three weeks later along with the Christmas tree.

It doesn’t take much imagination to recognise that our society is sorely lacking in goodwill, never mind peace. The news is full of violence, hatred and deceit. In the UK, Brexiteers and Remainers seem more interested in political point-scoring than in reasoned and courteous debate. Further afield, innocent civilians are trapped in the midst of deadly conflicts. Children starve, the poor are oppressed, and asylum seekers are turned away from their longed-for refuge. For such as these, peace and goodwill are a mere pipe-dream.

Many of the carols we sing at this time of year acknowledge the significance of peace and goodwill. Some songs go further, and contrast the promise of God’s words with the reality of the world in which we live. It came upon the midnight clear begins with the story of the angels’ visit to the shepherds in the fields, but moves on to comment in verse three on how we are too busy fighting one another to hear the truth of the angels’ song:

…And man, at war with man, hears notThe love-song which they bring;O hush the noise, ye men of strife,And hear the angels sing.

Even within our churches we can become too absorbed in our own agendas to pursue peace and goodwill. And yet, here is the perfect opportunity for Christians to model the love of God by seeking to live in peace with our fellow-believers, and by having generous hearts towards one another. One of Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples before He was arrested was that they should love one another as He had loved them. “If you have love for one another,” He said, “then everyone will know that you are my disciples." (John 13:35, GNB)

This is a great challenge for the Church, particularly at this time of year when people may be more inclined to consider spiritual matters. Can we show our “togetherness” by having sincere love for one another? If so, we can demonstrate that peace and goodwill is not simply a cosy seasonal phrase, but is the eternal gift of God.

The Diary of a (Trying to Be Holy) Mum by Fiona Lloyd: Meet Becky Hudson. Loving wife to Dave, devoted mother to Jennifer (9), Adam (5) and Ellie (2) - and queen of self-doubt. If only she tried harder, Becky reasons, she could be a `proper' Christian and mother! But is this the way it's meant to be? As Becky's diary records her daily `fails', it also reveals how God meets and affirms her in the marvellous muddle that motherhood can be as she tries to balance faith, fears and family life!

Click here to find out more!