Sermon: First Sunday after Christmas Day

Contemplative Service: John 1:1-18 + William Bradbury

The story of Christmas can only be understood within its proper context. Luke and Matthew tell the story Jesus’ birth within the context of the people of Israel living under the domination of the Roman Empire.  When we forget this context, the story of Jesus becomes a fairy tale that doesn’t involve real people and nations, but stories about Santa Claus and winter fairy lands of snow.