Christmas 2023

 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

 

The greatest miracle that the world has ever known was when God became a human and lived amongst us. He taught great truths. He performed wonderful miracles. He demonstrated amazing love. He bore the sin of mankind on himself so that we could be reconciled to God. We can boldly approach God’s throne of grace because Jesus is our intermediary.

For centuries the world waited expectantly for a Saviour. Prophets foretold His coming. In the words of Isaiah, He would be

Wonderful Counsellor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

Jesus came as a baby, growing in His mother Mary’s womb. God’s grace was sent in vulnerable and dependent child. Should we not then honour and respect and care for most of all those who are dependent and needy and vulnerable? Every life from conception onwards is a marvel of God’s creation. Every child deserves to be nurtured, protected, educated and loved.

Children are not a mistake to be ruthlessly disposed of. They’re not a commodity to be bought and sold. They should not be abused or used for sexual gratification. They deserve truth, beauty, innocent fun. We live in a world which has failed to protect its children in so many ways.

Jesus loved children. When His disciples tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing, He told them “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14).

Jesus also issued a warning to anyone who would intentionally harm a child. “If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in Me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

This Christmas, as we once more thank God for His perfect gift, that baby lying in a manger; as we enjoy time spent with family and friends and enjoy the innocence of children enjoying Christmas, let us pledge anew to help and support the families in our communities and to especially help and protect children, to pray for them and encourage them.

So this is Christmas

 

Christmas- the name means Christ worship. It records the baby born in Bethlehem, God’s promised Messiah, God’s gift to humankind, born to save the world from the curse of sin and death. He was Jesus, Immanuel – God with us.

Prophets foretold His birth. Angels announced His birth by appearing in the night sky above the ground where shepherds were watching over their sheep. Some would say that that was symbolic of the birth of our Good Shepherd, He who watches and tends over His flock. All of Heaven rejoiced.

Scholars in other countries who studied the night sky saw unusual signs in the heavens, including an unusual star which led them to where Jesus was. They brought precious gifts to present to Him, beginning a tradition of giving gifts to others to show the love of God to one another. In later centuries good men of faith such as St Nicholas and King Wenceslas gave gifts to the poor and needy and later came to be personified in the form of “Sinterklaas” or Santa Claus.

In later centuries beautiful carols honouring God were written and sung at Christmastime, telling the story of Christ’s birth- “Silent Night”, “Away in a Manger”, “Angels we have heard on high”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and others.

There is no Christmas without Christ. Christ came as a baby in Bethlehem, to minister to the world and to die outside of the walls of Jerusalem, taking upon Himself the sin of mankind. He defeated death and hell and rose from the dead, to ascend to Heaven. He will come again in final judgement. He knows and loves those who are His and blesses their lives with His goodness. This is the gospel, the good news that Christians throughout the world celebrate at Christmas.

Like the shepherds, let's wonder in the glory of God’s gift to us.

Like the angels, let's sing for joy songs of praise to God our Heavenly Father for His goodness.

Like the wise men, let's dedicate our time and resources to God, and give to others, especially those who are in need.

As we share food and presents and time with family and friends, let's do so to share the love of Jesus.