This Christmas millions around the world will gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many disturbed and worried by a year of terror, wars and inhumanity will be making contact with the transcendent and spiritual. Christmas is one of those times when we can visit again an important piece of the jigsaw of our life. Christmas puts us in touch with what is ultimate and beyond us.
According to an article by Chris McGillion in the Sydney Morning Herald last week, (www.smh.com.au/news/0112/11/opinion/opinion4.html), many people want to connect with ultimate reality, but on their own terms. They do not want religious doctrines, or rules about moral behaviour.
Of course it is possible that on our own terms we may not connect with ultimate reality at all. It may just be our construct of reality, just our impression or wish about what we want it to be like.
But many will say it doesn't matter whether it is true or not, it still can make up a bit of the jigsaw of meaning for our life. It can help us make sense of the world and our place in it.
Except that this building and meeting tonight might be a doorway into another world for you - a world where you could meet and get to know the ultimate reality himself.
In a way this would be mystical. It would also be mentally and intellectually invigorating, emotionally stretching and hardest of all challenging to the will.
Not everyone wants to get to know the ultimate reality. Some feel their own rituals are all they need to make sense of their world.
But some have sensed that there is something more. It may be a tantalising awareness like a faintly remembered smell, or a glimpse of beauty, perhaps power, beyond our knowing. It has connected with you in the part of you that deals honestly with reality - inside in the private self probably. Perhaps it is a long held belief that the world is not a closed system, that there is a God you could know. Perhaps that is why you are here tonight.
Tonight through old carols and often heard readings Jesus, who is the ultimate reality, has spoken to you, perhaps whispered faintly to see if you will listen.
Christmas, as Tolkein pointed out, is the beginning of the ultimate eucatastrophe. Here is the story behind all fairy stories, here the Story enters history. Here ultimate reality breaks through into the real lives of real people. Here in the birth of Jesus and later in his death and resurrection, the sudden turn around, the wonderful twist to the story, which is expressed and longed for in all the great stories, enters our reality and human life.
This is much more than a sentimental construct. Tonight you have a glimpse into a reality in which this story is central and crucial.
Jesus himself is here tonight. You heard his words in the scripture readings. His Spirit is speaking to some of you and calling you to turn and face him, to explore a bit further where you've never been, to take some steps towards Jesus and allow his love and power to rule and transform your life.
The readings and songs have spoken of him as Lord, King, Ruler, God's own son, adored by angels, worshipped by Kings, shouted about by shepherds.
He calls you tonight - to meet him, to know him, to follow him, to have him transform you life with his love and power. He knows your world and family and life. Knows your concern for your parents, your anxiety about your teenagers, your doubts, your uncertainty about your health. But he calls you to turn your attention from those to him. To follow him, to know him, to receive his power and love, to trust him to take care of the things you are anxious about.
To take that first step will mean a change of mind: to give up the decision that says "I'm not going any closer to Jesus." Decide not to keep him at arms length, not to relegate him any longer to a mystery you refuse to explore, to a hero you can patronise in a fairy tale.
Tonight there is doorway to Jesus the ultimate reality. It may seem dark beyond that door. It may be where you have never been, but have sensed you ought to go.
Don't just touch base tonight. Dare to risk meeting Jesus. He has spoken to you. Speak back to him: "Jesus you've been someone I've known at a distance, maybe I don't know you at all. Please let me know you, I turn to you because I want to know you. I will listen to what you say. I will follow what you show me."
Decide to find out more. Many at St. Alban's have been on this journey before - we will be happy to help you get to know Jesus. But Jesus himself will make himself known to you if you ask.
This is not about doctrines and moral rules. St. Alban's only teaches Christian doctrines to disciples of Jesus. We don't rely on rules about moral behaviour because we know the transcendent Spirit of God changes people's lives. This is about meeting Jesus in person. The person who can change and transform your life.
You entered one door to come here tonight. Go through another to meet and follow Jesus.
Let us know if you would like help to know Jesus better. Or if you would like a free copy of the New Testament which contains his teachings. Maybe watch the Jesus Video which is based on a part of the Bible that reports Jesus' life and teachings. (Look at our Offers page for more information.)