Jesus is born in a world of many faiths

An interfaith sermon by Revd Canon Barbara Moss

Introduction

At a time when political candidates may seek to divide the faithful, I’m reminded of this wonderful sermon preached by Revd Canon Barbara Moss at St. Mary’s Church, Cambridge in December 2001. After many years, it eventually disappeared from the Internet; so in reposting it on Christmas Eve 2015 (and again in 2022), I feel I’m reviving a lost treasure. I sincerely hope that Canon Moss would agree.

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Jesus is Born–in a world of many faiths

When I started thinking about this sermon, it seemed to me that what the title called for was not just one, but a whole course of sermons, and that I was not qualified to preach any of them. However, I was fortunate enough to attend a special celebration, almost exactly two years ago. It was organized by Westminster Interfaith, to mark the new millennium with readings about Jesus, not from Christian sources, but from writers of other faiths: from the Qur’an to religious leaders of our own day such as the Dalai Lama. It is not only Christians who have drawn inspiration from the life of Jesus.

Are You a Seeker-Philosopher?

After all, it’s not a binary choice. Or is it?

We are all seeker-philosophers. The seeker in us tries to make sense of the universe, and to understand the nature of God. Like a man looking for a restaurant because he is hungry, the seeker goes from place to place, proceeding with a sense of urgency, and guided by intuition as to where he might find a decent meal, or what will satisfy his hunger. This spiritual hunger we sometimes call aspiration.

Remembering Boris Johnson at Christmas

At Christmastime everyone needs a big, big dog to sit by the fire, wait by the door, or look mournful at the dinner table till someone throws it a cranberry. In The Bishop’s Wife, a 1947 holiday classic, the Brougham family had Queenie — a lovable (but brandyless) St. Bernard dog:

Christmas is also a time for remembering those no longer with us. They may have caused us pain, they may have pooped on the rug (literally or metaphorically), but still they were part of the family. So when we think of Christmas mirth, of banquets and balls, it is incumbent upon us to remember one whose name is synonymous with banquets (if not balls): Boris Johnson.