In 1891, Robert Louis Stevenson the Scottish, author of classics like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Kidnapped, gave a rather odd gift to the daughter of one of his friends, a Mr. Henry Ide.

Mr. Ide once joked that Christmas was not the happiest day of the year in his house. His fourteen-year-old daughter, Annie, had been born on Christmas Day, and she always complained that she got cheated out of a separate birthday party. So Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the idea of giving away his birthday. He drew up a legal document transferring all the “rights and privileges” of his birthday, which fell on November 13, to Miss Annie H. Ide. From that day forward, Annie celebrated her birthday on November 13.

Robert Louis Stevenson was not the first to transfer all his “rights and privileges” to someone else. In a sense Jesus became human that He might transfer some of His character to us. Jesus became human that he might transfer the spark of divinity to us. Jesus became a servant that he might transfer us to the status of sons and daughters. Or as St. John put it — “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

In a world like ours — full of tension and change — people like to think that there are some things which do not change. Some think of the traditions of Christmas in this way - the Christmas turkey and crackers and parties — always the same. When the prospects of terrorism and global warming invade our minds and we are made fearful - we like to think of the peaceful scene of the family in the stable in Bethlehem, and somehow the concerns which clutch our hearts seem to diminish. There seems to be a stability offered in the scene in the stable.

But the world to which Jesus came was not peaceful. It was far from stable. His country was full of occupying troops. There were many revolutionary ideas in the street. And Jesus came into that mix — a revolutionary too.

And His revolution was to change us<$> by transferring His “rights and privileges” to us. This child whose birth we celebrate at Christmas - comes to make changes.

If we would truly be His followers, we would recognise that He came once, and comes again in our day to offer not only “rights and privileges” — but also to offer challenges too.

Does the way we live and the way we relate to our loved ones — is the community in which we live — does the care we offer to the needy — come close to reflecting the quality of life Jesus calls us to live?

In the midst of all the busyness of Christmas, may we take the time to reflect on its core message and be renewed by its central character.

God bless you and your family and friends this Christmas.

On behalf of Christ Church Warwick, I take this opportunity to wish the people of Bermuda a Happy Christmas.