The idea of having a service of blessing to mark occasions is lovely, and has been observed in different ways for centuries. "God bless this ship and all who sail in her", "God bless this home and those who live here", are samples of a widespread need for assurance by people who like to know that God favours their plans and endeavours. Someone said after the blessing of their new home: "I can't explain it, but it is satisfying to have the seal of God's blessing".
Of course, the idea can be applied to cover every detail of our lives. As we approach the festival at Christmas, we may well ask for blessings on all the things happening, and on our families and our church life. In particular, we pray for God's blessing on our Christmas Eucharist. It is interesting to notice how those involved in the Christmas story were made aware of God's blessing and favour: "And the angel came in unto Mary and said `Hail thou art highly favoured: blessed art thou among women'. And the angel said unto her `Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favour with God'."
The healthier we are, the wealthier we are, the more reasons we have for thinking ourselves efficient, the more urgent it is to heed words like: "All our doings are nothing worth unless God blesses the deed".
In blessing the world God sent his Son - divine like Him, and human like us - to save the world. After centuries of prophecy, prayer, and hope, God speaks to all of us, through Jesus, the Word made flesh. This is the miracle of Christmas. That is why we rejoice at Christmas, year by year. Its wonder and its mystery never fade, never grow old or stale, because here is the promise of new life and new hope for us and for all the world.
As we come to our Christmas Communion, we may well think of the words of a poem by Sir John Betjeman:
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue
A baby in an ox's stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a child on earth for me?
No love that in a family dwells
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare
That God was Man in Palestine
and lives today in Bread and Wine.