I wonder how you are feeling right now?  If you are reading this before Christmas Day, I suspect that many of you are stressed, tired, even fed up!   If you are reading this on or after Christmas Day, then I hope that you are more relaxed and enjoying the beautiful Season of Christmas and filled with joy.

For Christians, Christmas is a season of profound joy — joy rooted not merely in festivity and tradition, but in a spiritual truth that has echoed through centuries: 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

This message lies at the heart of the narrative of the birth of Jesus Christ, and it resonates deeply with the values that Freemasonry cherishes—light, brotherly love, charity, and the pursuit of moral and spiritual growth.

Christmas joy is not superficial happiness.  It is not a fleeting pleasure of gifts or short-lived warmth of decorations and winter gatherings, though these can be meaningful.  Rather, Christian joy is born out of the belief that God has drawn near to humanity in the most unexpected and humble way: through the birth of Jesus.  This joy is expressed not simply in happiness but also in hope—a hope that transforms how we see ourselves, our brothers, and the world we inhabit.

For Freemasons, the symbolism of light has particular significance of course.  Our journey is framed by an ascent from ignorance to understanding, from darkness to illumination. Christmas speaks to this same longing, as Jesus is proclaimed as the Light of the World, a light not imposed with force or majesty, but given as a child—vulnerable, open, and born into simplicity.  This gentle radiance teaches that true illumination is not arrogant or overbearing; it is humble, patient, and inviting.

One of the striking features of the Nativity is that God’s presence is revealed in the ordinary. A manger, a stable (or a cave), a quiet star over Bethlehem — not the settings one would expect for the coming of the Saviour of the world!  In these we are reminded that goodness and truth often emerge in unexpected times and places.  So we also are taught that the most meaningful undertakings may occur in the quiet practices of daily life—acts of kindness, self-control, integrity, and care.  Christmas joy calls us to pause, to see the sacred in the simple, and to remember that greatness often begins in smallness.

The spirit of brotherly love finds deep expression at Christmas. In the Christian tradition, God’s incarnation is an act of profound solidarity with humanity: an expression of divine love that leaves no one beyond its reach.  Every person as a brother or sister possess inherent worth.  We are reminded that love must not remain abstract; it must be embodied—offered in compassion, hospitality, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  Thus, the bonds of the Fraternity are cultivated and enabled to grow and help heal the wider human family.

Charity, likewise, shines with particular clarity at Christmas. The Magi bring gifts to the Christ child, not because He has earned them, but because generosity is a natural response to encountering the divine.  Similarly, Freemasonry elevates charity as one of its great pillars, encouraging us to give not merely from abundance, but from a genuine desire to relieve the burdens of others. Christmas is a potent reminder that charity is not limited to financial giving; it includes listening to the lonely, comforting the grieving, and giving time, patience, and presence to those who are in any need.  In this way, charity becomes a way of participating in the joy of Christmas, sharing the light we have received with others.

The joy of Christmas also reminds us of the need for moral renewal.   As the birth of Christ symbolizes the dawn of a new era, so we are encouraged to begin anew—discarding old vices and cultivating virtue.  The Christmas season often inspires reflection on our choices, relationships, and the condition of our hearts.  It challenges us to reconcile with those we have wronged, to heal divisions, and to recommit ourselves to a life of integrity.  This renewal is not driven by guilt but by hope — the hope that transformation is possible, that each one of us can always ‘do better’.

Yet joy is not only experienced in giving or receiving but is fulfilled in sharing.  The angels proclaim “good news of great joy” and part of that joy arises from the sharing of the good news itself.  In our own lives, we share Christmas joy whenever we uplift others — through words of encouragement, gestures of goodwill, and efforts to build peace and understanding.  Christmas is a powerful reminder that spreading joy is part of our moral duty.  It is a season that challenges us to be heralds of light, men who not only seek wisdom but radiate it.

Ultimately, the joy of Christmas for Christians is founded on the belief that God’s love is not distant but present, not conditional but freely given.  It is joy rooted in the belief that light, even when small, is stronger than darkness; that hope, even when quiet, can transform hearts; and that love, even when offered imperfectly, can heal wounds.  These great truths reflect beautifully the Masonic pursuit of truth, virtue, and brotherhood.

As we reflect on the true joy of Christmas, may we find in the Nativity inspiration for our own journeys.  Whether we celebrates Christmas primarily as a religious festival or as a season of goodwill, its message of light, love, and renewal offers wisdom for all committed to improving the lives of others.  Embracing this joy, we are reminded that the greatest gifts are not material but spiritual: compassion, humility, and the enduring hope that each of us can contribute to building a more just, kind, and harmonious world.

May the light of Christmas strengthen our bonds of brotherhood, deepen our practice of charity, and illuminate our path as we strive to walk in truth.  And may its joy, gentle yet profound, accompany us not only in this Season but throughout the year ahead.

This well-known Christmas carol brings joy to my heart, and I hope that it will lift up your heart in joy too…