I first shared the reflection below, surrounded by the candlelight, creativity and community of St Denys folk. Together we grabbing a few minutes peace & reflection from the hustle and bustle of life. And people said they found these helpful. So, I thought I'd turn it into a blog in case anyone else needs a few minutes peace and reflection this Christmas time.

I wonder what comes to mind as you look ahead to Christmas?

Maybe the logistics of who you’ll see & when and how you’ll fit them in,

Or the excitement of gift giving and gift getting

Probably the hurdles you’ve got to get over this week to get to the finish line of Christmas Eve

Possibly the traditions and habits you have that are special to you?

And then there’s the baby at the centre of it all. 

What do you picture when (or if) you picture that baby?

• A squishy toy doll wrapped in a tea towel and making an appearance at various nativity plays
• A unmovable figurine, placed in the middle your nativity set at the start of Christmas Day. 
• Or a real & life gurgling, babbling baby, all vulnerable and small. Who, no matter what the carols would have us believe, DID do lots of crying.

It was a real, wriggling, messy baby who Mary delivered, and that Joseph received, after a long weary, lonely journey, in a rough and smelly home for animals. And who the shepherds gathered around and the wise men found, though maybe by the time they turned up, this baby had grown into a tottering toddler.

When each one looked and saw that baby, they saw something more. They saw that there is more than meets the eye.

Why did they see that there is more'?

For the shepherds, it came from a memorable encounter in their workplace and an awe-inspiring music session. The new born baby is the rescuer you've been waiting for.

For the wise men, it came from logic, study and research. The star you see points to the long-awaited leader of God's people.

For Joseph, it came from a nudge, and faith and courage. The shame you fear, the gossip you hear, there is more. This baby is the fruit of holiness not of betrayal.

For Mary, it came from a miraculous encounter and a deep knowing of her religion roots. There is more than this slow growing miracle, there is God’s plan at work, and it involves you.

Can you spot the whisper?

They all bore witness to the whispers that is more than meets the eye. More than a squawking, vulnerable, powerless little baby born into shame, and love, far from home. There is God with us, God at work, God restoring the broken world and broken relationships. There is more than what you see.

 What is it that whispers to you that there is more? Because you see, I think in all of us, there is that whisper, planted and carried by all of us. Is it music? Is it logic? Is it study? Is it challenge? Is it a work place encounter or maybe a miraculous moment in life that you just can’.

I wonder if you can spot that whisper in your own life? I reckon it's there somewhere. 

The whisper that there is more than meets the eye

There is more than Christmas logistics, delicate relationships, gifts and giving & sprouts. There’s even more than beautiful music and glorious decorations. And there's also more than war, conflict, homelessness, scary diagnosis, and all the things we fear

There is God who chose to be poured into all the limits and joys of being human. Who faced the good, the bad and the most ugly to say ‘there is more' and 'there is a different way, where life and love wins not death and hatred', and ‘you’re not alone’ and ‘I want to set you free and I want to mend all that is broken’. And to whisper so much more.

Let’s be people who hold on to that whisper there is more and let it shape our lives.

Who look at the baby and decide this will be the year you find out more of his story – because Jesus is so much more

Who look at the world, and commit to pray and act in the places of pain – because there can be more than death and suffering

Who face both the darkness and the joys, and say 'there is more than meets the eyes, and I’m going on a lifelong journey to discover and taste it in all it’s fullness'.

For in Jesus, there is always more to discover. 

The above reflection was first preached by Sera at the St Denys Candles by Candlelight Service on December 17th 2023