We carry the light – A Christmas reflection
Sue Say with the prize-winning Open Table 'Camp As Christmas' tree at St Bride's Liverpool in December 2020.
“Being a part of Open Table is one of my many blessings. To be part of such a supportive, welcoming community has helped me through some difficult times. You showed me I wasn’t alone.”
ON SUNDAY 15th DECEMBER the first Open Table community in Liverpool hosted the parish and the city’s LGBTQIA+ community for its largest gathering yet!
220 people came to sing favourite carols, and hear inspiring readings, both traditional and contemporary, and performances by the Open Table Liverpool Orchestra and the Liverpool Rainbow Chorus.
Open Table member Sue Say gave this reflection for her favourite service of the year, inspired by John 1:1-5.
I absolutely love Christmas.
We gather to celebrate the light of the world, the birth of Jesus. To raise our voices in song and rejoice.
Events like this in the festive season invites us to reflect on what Christmas means to us.
It is a time of love, kindness and light. This is a time for us to count our blessings and give thanks.
The first verses of John’s gospel are a beautiful passage that reminds us of the transformative power of light and hope.
As Christ’s light shines in the darkness, so can our acts of kindness illuminate the lives of others.
Christmas is a time to care deeply, to give generously, and to share the light within us.
Sometimes we forget just how powerful we are, and the effect we can have on others.
Our words can give hope, or smash dreams. We must pick them wisely. Our actions speak of who we are.
But sometimes I think it is easy for us to focus, too much, on events and special days and, by doing that, we miss some of the most amazing things.
Life isn’t just built on the big moments; it’s the small ones, the quiet ones. They are the moments that often hold the greatest meaning.
My favourite way to do this is to pay attention to the little things - like catching someone’s eye across a crowded room, sharing a kind word, or offering a simple smile. These things can ripple through someone’s day in ways you might never realize.
These seemingly minor acts have the power to pull someone out of the shadows of silence, to make them feel seen and valued.
Try to remember not to underestimate the impact of noticing and appreciating the world around you.
You could be the reason someone feels a spark of hope today, because often, it’s the smallest gestures that create the biggest shifts in our hearts.
In these simple acts of love and joy, we reflect God’s love.
Christmas is a time to celebrate, not just with lights on our trees, but by the light we share with one another.
All this is true and yet, for some, this season can be challenging.
Just as Christ came to bring hope to a weary world, we are called to offer compassion to those who are grieving, lonely, or in need of comfort.
Knowing this will bring us together, in shining our light and love more brightly in all the small ways that we can, letting others know they are not alone.
Being a part of Open Table is one of my many blessings. To be part of such a supportive, welcoming community has helped me through some difficult times. You showed me I wasn't alone.
As we celebrate, may we embody the message of John chapter 1 and carry the light within us, into our homes, our communities, and out into our world.
Together we can make this season one of love, hope and endless joy.
Those of you who know me well will have noticed a raincloud over my head recently, yet there’s a rainbow in that cloud; I am about to become a grandmother - again!
I am joyful.
The arrival of a baby is a profound symbol of hope, a reminder that even in a world fraught with challenges, new beginnings are always possible.
In their tiny, vulnerable form, babies carry an incredible promise of love, renewal, and endless potential, inspiring awe and purpose in those around them.
This is why the Christmas story resonates so deeply today. The birth of Jesus, celebrated as a humble yet extraordinary event, reflects the universal longing for light in darkness, peace in turmoil, and hope in the face of uncertainty.
A baby, so small and fragile, yet brimming with transformative possibilities, reminds us of the power of innocence and love to inspire change - offering a timeless message that transcends cultures and generations.
