Christmas Eve 11pm 24 Dec 2025

The Rev’d Lucy Nguyen

Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14,Luke 2:1-14

Our readings for this night of all nights hold us, unsurprisingly to the story of Christmas –
From the prophet Isaiah we hear, God offers a sign of God’s grace and protection to the King and people of Judah – in the darkness light shines, and the birth of child is the sign of new life and of God’s righteous kingdom to be established.
Psalm 96 is a song of praise for God’s greatness and glory, anticipating God’s coming as a fair and just judge.

We circle forward to Paul’s letter to Titus encouraging this Christian leader on the island of Crete to not surrender to the problems – rather refocus – reshape, reorganize and rejuvenate with the church so that it will share the positive life-giving message of Jesus Christ to a dying world – same story – a new year.

We are a dying world revived every year, every day and moment by a harrowing yet amazing birth narrative – the old, old story as Luke tells it, of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem for the Emperor’s census,, of Mary giving birth to her son in the stables. Of Shepherds told by angels about the birth and finding the place where the holy family was huddling for warmth and safety, telling the story of what they have been told about the child.

Our reflections (before the beers and bubbles overtake us and afterwards in the dawn of a new day) are focused on
• the incarnation (God with us), the promise of hope and peace, Mary & Joseph’s obedience,
• and the active “Word of God” entering our messy world, prompting us to bring light and love, finding God’s presence in ordinary life and seeing potential for transformation amidst darkness,

How do we do keep a focus on such things – because well – the beers and bubbles will overtake some of us, the daily grind can wear us and others down and life is tough.

I am a helpful priest associate always with a game or two up the sleeve of my alb! And I have a little take away party game for each of you – a party game – that can be played all year round in the game of life.

It’s called “I spy with my little eye”.

I realise this may seem like I’m offering a recycled present, as the traditional “I spy” game has been a popular pastime for centuries.

As you know, the game encourages observation and communication skills and thankfully no batteries or complicated instructions!

One player selects a visible object and says, “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…” followed by the first letter (or sometimes colour/characteristic) of the object, and others guess what it is.

As an aside, did you know that “I Spy with My Little Eye” also refers to a specific memoir, With My Little Eye, about an Australian family whose children were unwitting Cold War spies for Australian Security Intelligence Organization, trained by their parents to spot unusual activities, making the phrase’s usage context-dependent—from simple observation games to real-life espionage training.

Well, we’re not training for ASIO under-cover work, but we are on a mission, a mission for God and we do need to exercise our hearts and brains – our emotional intelligence as well as our intellectual intelligence to see truth of life, of God, of the Spirit of Wisdom around and within us.

We need to recognise that Immanuel, God with us, Jesus’ birth is not just a historical event; it is God stepping into our reality (Matt 1:23). The Word (Logos) present with God from the beginning is now flesh (John 1:14), bringing divine hope into all human situations.

Where do you spy Hope or perhaps the need for Hope and what can you do?

The world, and our lives, are often dark, filled with fear, isolation, and conflict. Christmas Eve reminds us that even in our struggles, “the everlasting light” shines, offering peace and the possibility of new beginnings. Where do you spy a new beginning for yourself or the need to be the light with and for others?

The story of Mary & Joseph reflects on their courageous obedience, listening for God’s direction amidst uncertainty.

Where do you spy in your relationships the need to listen more deeply to others, to yourself, to the Holy Spirit? How can we, like Mary, treasure and ponder God’s word in our hearts, or like Joseph, protect and care for God’s plan unfolding in our lives?
It is said that the work of Christmas begins after the celebration ends. We’re called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing the angelic message of peace and love (Luke 2:10-14) to those who are hungry, lost, or in need, not just in December but year-round.

Where do you spy potential and possibility? The fragile baby in the manger represents infinite potential. What new hope, love, or courage can be born in you and your community this Christmas?

Where do you spy the need for hope, peace, or love right now?

Who are the “Josephs” or “Marys” that you can see in your life?

And when you notice these people, places and circumstances all around you how might you offer God’s light and presence in what is your daily, ordinary routines and where might you be called to step out of the routine?

On this night of all nights and into the days and weeks to come don’t be shy – spy God and the Spirit around you and all the world in the ever-unfolding story of Christmas – play I spy Emmanuel – for God is with and within you and all the world is waiting.
Amen.