This is a small story with a big heart. A few years ago, Glaswegians walking through George Square were shocked to see the Nativity scene, missing someone vital.
The Baby Jesus was gone! Stolen in the night. Someone had stolen the baby and with true Glasgow humour, may have replaced it with a traffic cone. For a moment, it felt like Christmas had lost its centre!
But a few days later, things changed for the better, the baby returned. The Baby was found, restored, and placed back where He belonged.
It’s a simple story; when I first heard it, I smiled, but it holds a deeper meaning for us all at this time of year.
Christmas is about presence, not just presents. When the heart of the story is missing, when Jesus is removed, everything else falls flat. Isn’t that true in football, too?
At Rangers, that spirit lives in people working together for something bigger than themselves.
Players, coaches, medics, ground staff, kitchen workers, and office teams all contribute to the greater whole. When one piece is missing, the spirit is diminished.
So, as we gather around tables or touchlines this Christmas, let’s remember the Baby in the manger, not just because He was found in George Square, but because He is still found today: in acts of service, in moments of care, when folks are encouraging and in teams united by something greater than themselves.
Merry Christmas to the entire Rangers family, may the heart of Christmas never go missing from your life.
Reverend Mark Johnstone, Minister at Glasgow Cathedral, serves as the club chaplain, providing confidential pastoral care and support across the Rangers family.