During one of our Christmas services, in poor light, the reader of Hebrews 1, instead of ‘He is the reflection of God’s glory’, said ‘He is the revolution of God’s Glory’. It might have been unintentional – but whether it was or wasn’t, it was the Holy Spirit that spoke those words.

Yes, the Christ is indeed the reflection of God’s Glory – but He is also the leader of the revolution against the power of the Satan in the world. He refuses to allow His people to be oppressed, refuses to allow them to be condemned, refuses to allow prejudice replace justice, refuses to allow love to be suppressed by anger, greed and hatred.

In the eyes of the Temple leadership, Jesus is Himself regarded as a terrorist attacking their religious hierarchies and complacent self-centred teaching. But the term is often misused. When people fight back against what they see as injustice, the ruling party will label those who revolt against it as ‘terrorist’ to justify suppression, often by force. But those who are subject to such unjust persecution would instead refer to themselves as ‘Freedom Fighters’.

History is filled with examples, from Simon the Zealot, through the Suffragette movement to Nelson Mandela; Guy Fawkes through Che Guevara to Osama Bin Laden. We revere some, revile others, depending on who we are and where we stand – but to a greater or lesser extent, violence and bearing arms is a common feature.

Jesus – the revolutionary terrorist according to the Sanhedrin – is different, however, in one unique regard.

His only weapon is love.

Even for enemies.

Which is how His Victory is won.

Christmas! Would be interesting to ask people what word images are immediately conjured up at the mention of the word. Star. Angels. Shepherds. Magi. Mary, Joseph. The wee donkey. Ox and lamb. Little drummer boy. Stable. Manger. Carols. Crib. Holly. Mistletoe. Tree, Robins. Snow. Not to mention the food – Mince pies, Turkey and Ham, Pudding, Sprouts (Love ‘em), Cake. Alka-Seltzer. TV repeats of Only Fools and Horses. It’s a Wonderful Life. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

But there is one word missing from most such lists.

Cross.

Without the crib, there is no cross.

Without the cross, the crib has no meaning.

Unto us a child is born…

… a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

Olivia Erin Barton, daughter of Charlotte and Matt, entered the world at 11 p.m. yesterday 15th. She shared a birthday with 384, 999 others across the world – a world where ongoing conflict rages, where people perform acts of violence to others for reasons of race, tradition, language and religion – or for no reason at all. Where the future is increasingly uncertain, with unknown effects of uncontrolled technology and the need to face inevitable drastic lifestyle changes as result of unchecked global warming.

I wonder what she will think of the legacy we leave her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wasn’t hugely impressed.

There is one thing that we can – must – do for her, though.

We owe it to her to be witnesses to the truth that will sustain her through good times and darker ones – she will hear it proclaimed in story, carolling and celebration during the days around her birthday. It is the story of another baby – whose birth is a sign of God’s unfailing love, whose life will guide us, His death redeem us, His resurrection inspire us. Whatever may happen, His love will never fail us.

So may the Lord of Lords bless you, Olivia, and your sisters and brothers born that day. May you walk in His light throughout your life; may you be His body on earth, share Faith, Hope and Love, and use the all the gifts He gives you to bring His Kingdom in.