"We have found the Messiah". What an astonishing thing to say ! It's what Andrew said to his brother Simon the morning after he'd met Jesus and gone and stayed with Him. How excited he must have been. And Simon accepted this great news and went along with Andrew to meet Jesus who then gave him a new name, "Peter" meaning Rock. In this Christmas season, in liturgical readings, we hear of many others who also 'found the Messiah'. They didn't all say so, in so many excited words; but finding the Messiah was what happened. The shepherds, Wise Men from the East, Simeon and Anna in the temple, John the Baptist and people with him at the Jordan river, guests at a wedding in Cana. Later in Jesus' life, other people also accepted Him as the promised Christ, right up to the Roman soldier who saw Him die on the cross and said "truly this man was God's Son".

"We have found the Messiah". Let us say these words during these weeks of our celebration of His birth. May our excitement have been like Andrew's: a marvellous discovery to be shared with others, and not merely a short-lived excitement of lights and tinsel and toys. May we truly give witness to this extraordinary birth, of God come among us, bringing His peace and light and justice and healing. And may we appreciate a little more deeply this year this Messiah, whom Andrew so excitedly recognised.