Turmoil, fear and bondage stalked humanity. The rich and the rulers lived in the lap of luxury. Their gross overindulgences were at the expense of the poor. Rome ruled the world with brutal force, building and maintaining its empire through the sweat and blood of ten million slaves.
Across the nations women had no rights. When a woman’s husband died poverty was her nightmare because the law gave her no rights to any of his property or possessions. Philosophers highly venerated today as the epitome of intellect, wisdom and human advancement – Plato, Aristotle and Socrates – said that women were men who failed to fully evolve and that a woman’s greatest hope was to eventually become a man. These “great thinkers” actually supported infanticide where infants would be taken out into the fields and left to die of starvation or be eaten by animals.
Worship of many gods involved human sacrifice. Diseases and demon possession terrorised humanity. Rebellion and brutal reprisals, marked by crucifixion of the rebels, were the order of the day. Ignorance, suffering and despair spoke humanity’s doom.
Then light shattered darkness as the Creator entered the world He spoke into existence as a baby in a manger. Angels shouted the news that for millennia creation had been groaning to hear – “Fear not, for behold we bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people! For unto you is born this day in the city of David the Saviour who is Christ the Lord!” One night. One birth. One Child – and the world has never been the same! It’s what Jesus does!
Born where continents, nations and races connect and clash, He showed us that what matters is not the colour of our skin but the condition of our heart. His teachings reveal that the slave is our brother, and everywhere this truth is received it breaks the chains of slavery. He restored the outcasts, comforted the brokenhearted, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and transformed murderers into missionaries, ambassadors of the good news of salvation. His truth protects the unborn, elevates women to their rightful place of worth and dignity, declares the inestimable worth of children, and declares that neither disablement nor old age can diminish our worth. It’s what Jesus does!
So here we stand on shifting sands of time, witnessing and experiencing the full traumas of earth’s worst pandemic. The tragic loss of loved ones through disease and accidents are merciless waves crashing over our souls. But here we stand, finding that Christ is our refuge and strength like no other. Here we stand, spared the ravages of a hurricane, and feeling the irresistible wonder of Christmas. It’s what Jesus does!
We swallow the bittersweet: pain…and promise of a bright tomorrow marked by the historic arrival of international flights to our beloved Anguilla.
What does tomorrow hold? We know not. Our government has plans, makes promises and needs our prayers. In the dark hours of this year our pastors and congregations rose up to give relief, material and spiritual, and will continue to do so throughout the coming year. On behalf of the Anguilla Evangelical Association I urge us to support all that is truly Anguillian – including The Anguillian (!) – all that honours God. Let us be careful to maintain the Covid-19 protocols during the season. Above all, let us give our hearts to Christ so that the joy, peace and hope of Christmas will endure throughout 2022 and overcome all that comes against us. We face the unknown unafraid. It’s what Jesus does!
Pastor Philip Gumbs
President
Anguilla Evangelical Association
