Adventurous Love
by Peter Farley-Moore — Vicar of St John’s
My children love stories, especially if they’re on the big screen. Recently we watched “Lassie” – the film about an adorable, heroic, wonder dog. Inspired by our recently acquired black Labrador, Hannah, I thought this story would make a great night’s family viewing. Sadly, we didn’t get to the end before bed time and so were left hanging on to see if Lassie would make the journey home and escape her captivity. The suspense was too much for me, so, after the kids had gone to bed, I continued the movie; I couldn’t rest until I’d watched the end of the story.
Our lives are shaped by stories. Some stories are based on fear – they portray a world near to destruction, follow the hero through a succession of increasingly galling disasters or bring our worst nightmares to life. Stories like these motivate us to recycle, take out insurance and to avoid ships that claim to be unsinkable. At their very best these stories remind us to say “I love you” to our children before they go to sleep but there are other stories that shape us, stories that if we dare to allow them will make surprising demands of us and bring surprising meaning to our existence.
Many of these are the true stories of real people who have gone on an adventure for one reason or another. They’ve left the security of their homes, families and regular routines in order to step into the unknown. Some set out to seek their fortune, some merely fame and renown and some have had a philanthropic desire to help others or to improve the world. The key to the story and the lure of the adventure is that you never quite know how it’s going to finish. You might never come back, and even if you do you might find yourself changed in unexpected ways.
At the heart of Christmas is a story. Beneath the wrapping paper, candles and theology is an ancient tale that's been told and retold to countless generations.
It’s a story of romance: Mary and Joseph are two young lovers whose marriage plans are turned upside down by a miraculous and unexpected intervention. Mary responds to the disturbance with joy and acceptance, whereas Joseph wrestles with it and instinctively wants to back out and abandon his bride.
It’s a story of tragedy: the wicked king Herod, outraged by the possibility of a rival to his throne, decides that the best plan to maintain his supremacy is to conduct a carefully targeted mass murder.
It’s a story of comedy: the most important baby ever to be born lies in an animal feeding trough as shepherds tumble down from the hillside realizing belatedly that they need a gift and handing over whatever lies at hand. Meanwhile three philosophers from far away make their way in great state across the continent bearing gifts of great symbolic significance of no immediate relevance.
It’s a story of hope: the prophecies of a long oppressed people are beginning to become true: finally, after all these years, there's a chink of light in the darkness.
Most of all it’s an adventure story: each of the characters risks security and familiarity for the promise of something greater and so steps onto a thrilling conveyor belt where the unexpected happens and the unimagined becomes real. At the heart of the adventure is God’s love. It's a love that led him to risk becoming a vulnerable baby: vulnerable to disease, poverty, immigration controls, illegitimacy and violence. Like Romeo climbing up to Juliet’s balcony he stepped into a hostile world, knowing the dangers and braving them willingly, driven by an unquenchable love. Christmas is just the beginning of the adventure. It's an adventure that can touch us even today with a reminder of the great love of God for his world. You are welcome to join us at St. John’s as we explore the story this year.
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