The Season of Christmas

You Are a Blessing

All through the weeks of Advent, we have been using quilt blocks as a way to look at the readings. We had to cancel our Christmas Eve service due to bad weather, so today, Rev. Catherine adapted what had been planned for Christmas Eve and added Epiphany

The first one is a simplified abstract image of the Angel Gabriel who tells Mary she is blessed among women. In the quiet town of Nazareth, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with an astounding message: “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Mary, an ordinary young woman, was chosen to play an extraordinary role in God’s unfolding story of redemption. Gabriel’s words remind us that God sees in us what we may not see in ourselves. He called Mary a blessing, not just for who she was, but for who she would become in partnership with God.

As we reflect on this encounter, we are reminded of an essential truth: you are a blessing. Like Mary, you are seen and loved by God. You may not feel extraordinary; you may wonder how your life fits into the grand design. But God’s message to Mary is also God’s message to us. You are called, gifted and equipped to bring light into the world.

Mary’s response to Gabriel was not without hesitation or questions. She asked, “How can this be?” Yet, in her humility and courage, she said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Her willingness to trust God transformed her into a vessel of blessing for all humanity.

Today, consider how you might respond to God’s call in your life. Where can you bring hope, love, and healing? Being a blessing does not require perfection; it requires openness. It is about offering your gifts, your presence, and your heart to others.In Gabriel’s words, hear the echo of God’s promise to you: “The Lord is with you.” Let that truth empower you to live boldly, to trust deeply, and to embrace your role as a blessing in the lives of others.

We Can’t Go It Alone

This quilt square design is called the log cabin and is meant to symbolize that together we can hold one another up and make something greater. The Christmas story is a vivid reminder that we are not meant to go through life alone. The narrative of the shepherds, in particular, highlights the importance of community, connection, and shared purpose.

In Luke 2:8-15, we read about the shepherds in the fields, tending their flocks when an angel appeared to them, saying, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people… Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” This moment was not just for one shepherd but for all of them. Together, they heard the heavenly proclamation, and together they decided, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place.”

The shepherds’ response to the angel’s announcement reminds us that God’s work is experienced and shared in community. They traveled as a group, supporting one another as they sought the newborn Messiah. When they arrived and witnessed Jesus, they shared the joy of that moment, spreading the news to others with enthusiasm and wonder.

This sacred story reminds us that we need one another—in moments of celebration and moments of struggle. When we walk together, we share burdens, amplify joy, and reflect the love of God to the world. The shepherds didn’t go it alone, and neither should we. In this season, as we reflect on the birth of Jesus, let us follow the example of the shepherds. Let us seek God’s presence together, share our experiences of faith, and embrace the truth that we can’t go it alone. Together, we embody the hope and love that Christmas brings.

Do the Good That Is Ours To Do

We are each uniquely gifted called and equipped for the good that is ours to do in the world. In the centre of this quilt square is the cross, symbolizing Christ impact, and surrounding it are individuals reaching out and shining their particular light in the world. In the Christmas story, we see countless examples of individuals doing the good that was theirs to do. Each person, no matter their station or role, contributes in their unique way to the unfolding of God’s plan.

Perhaps one of the most understated examples comes from Joseph. When Joseph learns that Mary is expecting a child, he initially plans to dismiss her quietly, a decision rooted in compassion and a desire to avoid public disgrace. However, in the first chapter of Matthew, an angel appears to him in a dream, saying, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” In response, Joseph changes his course. He chooses to trust God, to stay by Mary’s side, and to care for the child as his own. This was the good that was his to do.

Joseph’s actions remind us that doing good often requires courage and faith. It means listening for God’s call and responding with a willing heart, even when the path ahead is uncertain. His role may seem secondary in the larger narrative of Jesus’ birth, but his steadfastness presence was essential. Without it, Mary would have faced immense challenges alone.

The good that is yours to do might not seem grand or extraordinary. It might be as simple as offering kindness, standing by someone in need, or choosing love over fear. Yet, as Joseph’s story shows us, even small acts of faithfulness can have a profound impact. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us ask ourselves: What is the good that is mine to do? And let us, like Joseph, respond with trust and courage, knowing that our faithfulness can help bring God’s love into the world.

Hope Is Worth the Risk

This traditional quilt square is designed is called birds in the air. Sometimes when we take a risk, hope takes flight. At times it may feel like you’re falling, but you’ll find that, in God’s embrace, you are flying.

The story of Jesus’ birth is a profound reminder that hope often requires stepping into the unknown. The arrival of the Christ child was not marked by ease or certainty, but by acts of courage rooted in trust. In Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph faced challenges that could have overwhelmed them. With no lodging available, they made do with a stable, welcoming Jesus into the world under humble and difficult circumstances. Their faith in God’s promise carried them through, even when the path was unclear. They chose hope over fear, trusting that the child they cradled was a sign of God’s enduring love.

The shepherds, too, teach us about the risks of hope. When angels appeared, declaring the good news of Jesus’ birth, they could have stayed in their fields, dismissing the vision as impossible or too dangerous to pursue. Instead, they said, “Let us go now to Bethlehem,” leaving behind what was familiar to seek the Saviour. Their decision to act on hope brought them face to face with the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Hope calls us to take risks. It invites us to believe in a future where God’s love and justice reign, even when the present feels uncertain. The story of Jesus’ birth reminds us that hope is not passive; it requires action, trust, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

This Christmas, may we find the courage to take risks for the sake of hope. Whether in small gestures of kindness or bold steps toward a better world, let us trust that God walks with us, just as God was present in Bethlehem so long ago. Hope is worth the risk, for it leads us to the promise of new life.

Love Knows Your Name

The love of God is represented by a heart with three triangles that seem to fold inward, ready for embrace. In Luke 2:1-20, the birth of Jesus is described with a mix of heavenly wonder and earthly simplicity. It happens not in a royal court or a bustling city center but in the quiet of a manger, surrounded by the humblest of circumstances.

In a time of political upheaval and a world that seemed preoccupied with power and control—marked by the decree of Caesar Augustus—God chooses to come near in the most unexpected way.

The story of Jesus’ birth is not merely a historical event; it is the revelation of God’s love for the world, a love that knows each one of us by name. This love is not distant or abstract but deeply personal. “To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour”

To you. Not just to the powerful, the privileged, or the perfect. To you—in all your beauty and brokenness, in all your doubts and dreams. The manger becomes a powerful symbol of God’s intimate love. God comes so close, breaking down every barrier that separates us. God’s love enters our humanity—not in grand displays of might, but in vulnerability, in the cries of a newborn. This love does not wait for us to rise to perfection but comes to meet us exactly where we are.

This truth has extraordinary implications. It means that you are not forgotten or overlooked. In a world that often defines us by what we achieve, how we look, or what we own, God’s love knows you fully—by name, by heart, by story. It is not a general or impersonal love, but one that speaks directly to you. When Jesus enters the world, it is as though God whispers: You matter. You are known. You are beloved.

And so, the birth of Jesus invites us to see ourselves—and one another—differently. We are not anonymous faces in a crowd. We are not reduced to labels or failures. We are called by name into a love that transforms us. The promise of the incarnation, of God dwelling among us, assures us that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone. God’s love comes to us as light and life, offering hope where there is despair, peace where there is turmoil, and belonging where there is isolation.

In the face of such love, how can we not respond? To know that we are loved, truly and completely, changes everything. It shifts our hearts from fear to trust, from striving to peace. It calls us to live as those who are cherished—to extend that same love to others. Just as God’s love seeks us out, so we are invited to be bearers of love in this world, naming others with the dignity and care God shows us. At Christmas, we remember: Love knows your name. It knows your past, your pain, your possibilities. And this love is born anew, as close as your next breath, inviting you to live as one who is deeply known and profoundly loved.

The Road Isn’t Straight

The triangles in this quilt square point in multiple directions. Much like the Magi’s journey, the path ahead isn’t always clear or straight. Thankfully, we have the guidance of the spirit to light the way.

The story of the magi in Matthew 2:1-12 is a tale of contrasts and choices, inviting us to reflect on what we seek and how we respond to the signs of God’s presence in the world. The magi, learned seekers from distant lands, are drawn to a mysterious star that signals the birth of a king. Their journey is one of faith, curiosity, and persistence, crossing borders and navigating uncertainties to honor a child who represents hope and transformation.

In contrast, King Herod responds with fear and manipulation. The news of a new king threatens his grip on power, and his reaction is one of deception, cloaking his intentions with a request to “worship” the child. Herod’s choice highlights the human tendency to resist change, especially when it disrupts the status quo.

The magi, however, choose another way—literally and metaphorically. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are offerings of reverence and recognition. But their greatest gift may be their willingness to listen, to follow divine guidance that leads them home by a different path, away from Herod’s grasp.

This story reminds us that seeking Christ often requires stepping out of comfort zones and letting go of preconceived notions. It calls us to discern between the Herods of our world—those who sow fear and division—and the true signs of God’s kingdom: love, justice, and peace.

As we follow the star in our own lives, we might ask ourselves: What guides us? Do we respond to God’s call with open hearts and bold actions, like the magi? Or do we cling to power and fear, like Herod? The path we choose makes all the difference, shaping not just our journey but the light we bring to the world.

Rev. Catherine MacDonald

Theme from A Sanctified Art