Christmas 2022: Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 and John 1:1-14 A Sermon preached at Midnight Mass - from "The Traitors" to 'The Chord". The TV show IS based on games such as ‘wink-murder’ or 'mafia' which has proved popular with youth groups, including our own, for decades. The chord from 'O come all ye faithful' is well known amongst musicians - there are even t-shirts!
I am a faithful.
Even if you’ve not followed "The Traitors", spoilers, reviews and comments have been all over mainstream and social media, adding a twist to the famous opening line of one of the carols we’ll sing tonight.
Come on, you faithfuls!
Some players were nominated as traitors and were tasked with “murdering” the other faithful contestants, while the latter had to identify the traitors and “banish” them.
Unlike the game played in church halls and youth clubs, over £100k was at stake. Everyone played as a faithful.
There were group challenges and quizzes - building up bonds of friendship, camaraderie and trust as well as the prize fund. Then there were accusations, theories, eliminations, betrayals; a creeping paranoia and mistrust, prejudices and judgements.
The finale included cryptic farewells, parting gifts, special pleading and an ultimatum. Could they all say, I am a faithful? Or would someone have to confess to a game of deceit and manipulation and divided loyalties, with all the pressure that went with it?
Yes, it was a game - albeit one shot in a fabulous location with ordinary people.
But games can reveal the very worst as well as the best of family and friends. If you’re thinking of playing Monopoly, Cluedo or Absolute Balderdash tomorrow, we see the competitiveness, suspicions, duplicity, selfishness and disappointment - as well as, I hope, some magnanimity and laughter.
O Come; come all ye faithful.
For to be faithful with all its joy, song and exaltation in no way denies the complexity, pain and fractious nature of the world we live in; the personal wounds and the systemic injustices - the greed, betrayals or inequalities, the abused power.
But there is more. To be faithful gives us a different lens on the world: one of hope.
A hope of resolution; of something more; of outrageous possibility and extravagant love.
It’s a hope we see as human beings turn their hearts outwards to the other - letting go of self-reliance, self-absorption or selfishness.
As "The Traitors" ended, we were given a glimpse of that in both friendship and forgiveness. To be faithful names the grace of those things. The little acts of kindness; the moments of consolation; the celebration of those fierce loves; the marking of new beginnings; the longevity of human companionship and creaturely companions too.
It’s a hope we see and hear and receive afresh tonight because of a single Word. A Word made flesh.
O come, all ye faithful. You are faithfuls. Come and adore the one who is God of God, light of light; very God birthed by Mary - reflecting God’s glory in the fullness of our human condition.
We come here faithfully; coming to behold and adore Christ the Lord.
Sometime ago, the New York Times published a piece entitled ‘everyone wants to hear this one chord in a Christmas carol. The chord from an arrangement of ‘O come all ye faithful’.
It is the one known as the “Word of the Father chord” or just “The Chord”: it brings awe, mystery and drama to our worship - full of anticipation as it finally resolves. A startling moment that captures our attention and moves our hearts.
It is more than a scrumptious harmonic moment. It carries deep meaning and resonance. That final verse which we will sing this happy morning, is a reference to the opening of John’s Gospel read tonight.
It takes us beyond angels and shepherds. It takes us to the very heart of God - to the love that creates and makes whole; a love that does not let us go, but longs for us to grow in friendship with God and each other.
The one chord illuminates the one Word: there is a directness and simplicity to this pairing - it demands our attention, draws us into the mystery and intimacy of this love. It holds us there as heaven stoops to earth and raises earth to heaven.
We are invited to be faithful in ways which are deeply practical. It is about being messengers of peace; rejoicing with those who rejoice; bringing comfort to those who weep.
To be faith-full is to build community and trust; to restore hope and justice; to nurture understanding, confidence and purpose. That will look different in our homes, workplaces and communities.
However we feel this Christmas we know that the stresses, grief, anxiety, uncertainty and loneliness are real - but that they co-existing alongside the laughter, memories, comfort, opportunities and love.
The Word of the Chord is one who lives to share the sorrows and the joys - who is with us in the darkest hours. It’s a love that cannot be banished; a love that restores the traitor; a love that calls us to one table, to share one bread - one cup, and serve one world.
That is grace. And truth. And love. So come, ye faithful. Let us adore him.
© Julie Gittoes 2022
