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Christmas Day
SERMON - 11.00am, Emmanuel Church, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Monday 25th December 2006
Revd. Matthew Vernon
Christmas shopping is hard work, isn't it?
Did you finish your Christmas shopping?
Did you manage to buy presents for all of your family? To send them overseas wherever your loved ones are in Australia or Europe or America?
I confess there are still 3 presents I haven't got yet for people in England.
Christmas is about giving, isn't it? Giving presents. Giving time. Giving love.
But you know, Christmas is also about receiving.
And receiving things from other people is very important.
I don't just mean receiving lots of lots presents!
When we receive we acknowledge that we need help from other people.
We aren't completely independent or self-sufficient.
"No man is an island"
Think about Jesus at Christmas.
What did Jesus receive as a baby?
• Mary's milk.
• Joseph's cuddles.
• Warmth from the animals.
• Worship from the shepherds.
We usually think about Jesus giving.
Jesus received a lot at Christmas, didn't he?
Receiving is often harder than giving.
When we receive for other people, we acknowledge that they have something to offer.
If I say "thank you X for helping me" or "thank you X for making me laugh" I am saying that the X has unique and precious gifts.
Have you received any presents or cards from people you didn't send them to?
I have.
It's hard, isn't it?
We feel we should have given them something.
It's hard to receive freely. We feel we owe them something.
But it's wonderful to receive without obligation.
Its liberating to allow someone to be kind and generous and to just receive that without strings attached.
Who have you received from?
Who do you receive from?
Perhaps they are here today.
I receive from many people.
I'll give three examples.
Christie is an example.
Christie has returned to the States now.
She taught me many things about disability.
Opening my eyes to her experience.
Helping me see the world differently.
My children are another example.
I receive deeply from them.
Their love and affection.
Their enjoyment of living.
As well as their dirty nappies and whining!
I receive a deep joy from them being.
And I receive from you all.
Thinking particularly of your kinds words about Bethanie.
Your encouragement and support after the Service last week when we moved and yesterday's Service.
Thank you.
Receiving from other people we reveal that they have gifts to offer.
That they are precious and valuable.
It is wonderful to give
• to give generously and freely.
But it is wonderful too to receive.
Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts.
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