We’ve done Christmas, it’s over. Advertisements move on to Sales and holidays, and so should we. – At least, that’s what they would like you to think. But perhaps that forgets the Violence of Christmas. Yes, the violence. Let me try to explain.

In my imagination (not memory, though both are liable to forgetting and getting things wrong). In my imagination there is a cutting from the Bethlehem Chronicle:

By our own correspondent.
A late night confrontation has been reported, between Councillor Caiaphas and a rowdy group of visitors. The well-known Councillor lodged a complaint, alleging disturbance and disorder. He claimed the group was led by Adam, who walked the streets shouting “It’s all ‘appening! The angels told us, and we’ve visited the new King.” Councillor Caiaphas told him to cease this behaviour and keep his opinions to himself, at which Adam allegedly responded, “Yer stupid fossil, don’t yer understand, God’s on the move, and its all going to change!” At this the Councillor attempted to move the noisy and excited group on, and in the ensuing scuffle received a heavy blow which caused a black eye of heroic proportions.

The Chronicle (please note this is not the rival source, the Bethlehem Star) attempted to contact Adam without success. Apparently he belongs to a group of shepherds, who have moved on to new pastures. Surprisingly Councillor Caiaphas refused any comment, saying the sooner the whole incident was forgotten the better.

To me at least that begins to explain the Violence of Christmas. The revolution has begun, a very different sort of revolution, but still revolution –

• Perhaps you remember Jesus saying “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” Mt 10:34
• Perhaps you think of Mary, rejoicing in a God who “ has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble “ Lk 1:52, the Magnificat
• or maybe you remember Paul listing the armour of God we are to wear– Eph 6,
• or the war in heaven described in Revelation.(Rev 12:7)
• perhaps you think of how the celebration of Christmas is followed by remembering Stephen, the first martyr, stoned to death for his faith (26 Dec), and then the Innocents – the children murdered by Herod trying to kill the King the Wise men looked for (28 Dec)

You’ll see the revolution in today’s readings:
1 Samuel 2. 18-20, 26 Samuel, serving as Eli’s sons would not; Colossians 3. 12-17 a whole new quality of life; and Luke 2. 41-52 Jesus the young teenager, asking questions, yet remaining obedient within his human family.

You see, Adam was right – well, except for giving the Councillor a black eye. That was a mistake, probably the result of excitement and frustration. It was all happening – and still is. A new sort of Revolution, radical and lasting. It doesn’t involve fighting in the usual way, but there are two sides, and conflict to the death. It is changing the world, and will do so even more, and the world does not like it!

You can still sometimes hear people saying Christians should shut up, keep our opinions to ourselves, and certainly not let them affect our work, or our lives in the community. Twaddle! The news of the new King is important, and needs to be lived and passed on.

On the first Sunday of Christmas it’s not all over, far from it. Sometimes God can be disturbing. Yes, those like Councillor Caiaphas would like it all quickly forgotten, to get back to the normal distractions of the self-important. They’d like us to agree not to talk about God’s plans of Revolution, or angelic messages, and certainly not about a new King. But it’s not a private matter, to be forgotten and lost. God is on the move, and the change is wonderful, and continuing.