Homily 18th December 2011
Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey
Introduction
Mr Toomey was a sad, gloomy man, who never smiled or laughed. Instead he went about mumbling and grumbling, grumping and griping, always complaining the church bells rang too often or the children played too loudly.
He walked around with his head bowed low, and seldom looked up.
Of course, we know and understand why he was so unhappy.
Some years before his wife and child had died.
How and why did Mr Toomey begin to change?
It all began with unexpected visit of the widow McDowell, her son Thomas, daughter Sarah, and all the gifts she brought him…
the warm loaf of corn bread, the bouquet of flowers,
and special present of a warm, knitted scarf, and Thomas’ little carved donkey.
Upon receiving these gifts something began to change deep within Mr Toomey as he accepted the kindness of others and received their love.
Development
Last Sun I said, ‘love changes everything’, today I want to say more about that.
First of all, we need to understand what kind of love changes everything….
Love that is…
patient and kind…
that doesn’t envy, does not boast, is not proud, rude or self seeking…
that is not easily angered, and forgives, which keeps no records of wrongs…
which does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth…
which always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres… never fails.
It is this kind / measure of love that changes everything.
But, where is such a love to be found?
It is found in the heart of our Father God, who revealed to us the extent of His love when He sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to be born in Bethlehem…
… and who continues today to pour out his love through the Holy Spirit upon all who open their hearts and lives to receive from him.
It is by accepting and receiving God’s love that everything changes,
that everything is healed, restored, forgiven, cleansed and made new.
Moreover, when we share the love of God which we have received with others, then their lives begin to change too, as comfort, peace, joy and hope replaces sadness, anxiety and despair.
Conclusion
Mr Toomey was changed and transformed from a sad, gloomy man who never smiled or laughed into a man who was happy because he accepted and received the love of the widow McDowell and her children Thomas and Sarah.
May we, this Christmas, bring happiness, joy and laughter into the hearts and lives of those who are sad and lonely through our kindness and generosity and by sharing the love which God has given to us in Christ, His Son, whose birth we celebrate today.
