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This has been a difficult year for many, but the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord invites us to pause and soak in the wonder of God’s presence, His abiding love for us, His complete gift of Himself, encompassing every moment of our lives in His boundless mercy.

The First Christmas

It was a gathering of people, from ages newborn to 85.

Humanity, blessed humanity. Some were Jews, others not.

It was a wonderful day.

Great and small, kings and shepherds, two thousand years ago came together for ‘church’.

They gathered around a manger, a feeding trough, probably hewn from stone, where a newborn baby lay.

There was a frisson in the air; this was something beyond the comprehension of the shepherds; they encountered heavenly hosts, Angels! Proclaiming the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus, Son of God, Son of man.

Nothing could have prepared them for this miraculous encounter; no amount of going to temple, no amount of prayer raised to Jehovah in the fields where they kept their sheep!

Yet here He was; wholly God, wholly man — a human child.

Anticipation: ‘previous view or impression of what is to happen; instinctive prevision; foretaste; ante past; as, the anticipation of the joys of heaven.’

The Faith of a Child

If you have a heartbeat, we remember anticipating Christmas morning, as a child, parent or grandparent.

My granddaughters will be buzzing on Christmas Eve! Children with childlike faith simply know that Santa will visit this night! Yippee!

They have no reason to doubt mummy and daddy’s love. Faith is innate to our humanity, measured to us as a gift from God. (Romans 4:16)

If we consider the words of Jesus, He said that we should receive the Kingdom of God with childlike faith, because let’s face it, we don’t understand what we know to be true… We just DO!

If the last couple of years haven’t kicked us in the Keister, what will?

What have we decided to place our faith in?

Faith in Christ

Mary and Joseph lived under military rule and occupation. They chose Faith.

We have lived in trying, heartbreaking and for many of us, fearful times.

Shall we choose Faith in Jesus, remembering how and why we chose to believe in Him?

He, my friend, still chooses YOU — in every day, every breath you take, He displays His love!

Can we choose to anticipate His goodness, with childlike faith?

“He remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever…
He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.”
~ Psalm 136:23

I like His timeline — forever works for me!

What are We Anticipating?

Krys is a dear special friend of mine; from October, Krys anticipates Christmas with great joy and love. She is supercharged in the creative stakes, a great cook of Polish origins — say no more, right?

Because she anticipates with joy and love in her heart, she receives abundantly from the seed being sown.

Krys makes a spectacular effort of joyful expectation.

A Celebration of Life

Today we had a wake for our friend’s beloved son. We had a celebration of his life. A beer, a plate of yummy tucker, because after these darkest days, some six months late, they anticipated JOY.

Most lessons are better caught than taught.

Eph 3:16-19 explains this better than I can.

Those Who Sorrow

Perhaps you are struggling to ‘feel’ Christmas… you’re not alone.

As Christians, we often fall under the law of sin and death by believing that our melancholy or circumstances make us less than an overcomer.

“I am an overcomer, because of Jesus my Lord!” Not from our self-effort, nor from lack of faith deep down.

Just Come to Jesus

The wonderful, stirring carol O Come All Ye Faithful declares some beautiful truth in just three lines, paraphrased and expounded upon by me. (Theologians, quake in your pluggers!)

“Hey guys and girls! Come here and sing, gather together, and if you can’t, just come to Me!

Come and be Joyful!  Decide to try, and I’ll fill in the gaps with My Holy Spirit, because you don’t have to explain a thing to Me!

Come in Triumph! Not because you did something special; (apart from making the best decision of your life by coming to Me) — simply accept that you are triumphant THROUGH Me!

Come, remember that you’re the apple of My eye, and I want you to rejoice with ME!

Dad knew what He was doing when He sent me to be born in Bethlehem; it was IT ABOUT YOU!”

The wake is done, the tears will still fall, BUT GOD  tells us in Mt 11:28-31 that Jesus Himself is bidding us “Come to Me”.

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with Mine. Learn My ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in Me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”

Our dear friends need rest, and He will give; He can’t help it, it’s the pure nature of His love. God gave us Jesus, He can’t deny Who He is.

God had church that day!

“A Wonder To Behold”

Can I tell you what happened the night He was born?
Can I tell you what happened to a world so forlorn?
Let me tell you of the miracle that occurred with His birth;
Let me tell you of God’s wondrous plan to Save this very earth.

A babe so tender, meek and mild was sent to holy parents, to be raised their child,
And the heavens sang praises to His name on high,
While his special star did shine above, all through the night.

Now when the Great Messiah came into this life,
He came into a world full of trouble, hate and strife;
But the only hope for our race, our planet we call Earth,
Exploded in love, the moment of His birth!

Remember now, this babe was born to a Virgin bride
Whose pure and sweet love of God
Gave her the place of pride.
For at that VERY moment occurred a wonder to behold,
The blessed event so took place
As foretold by the Prophets of old.

On that night so long ago, still and calm and sweet,
When great and wise Kings from afar
Laid gifts at this child’s feet,
Just remember that He came to save us from our sin,
And the only gift He wants from you, is to give your life to Him.

Leonie Robson, 1985

Today, we can have church together. It’s not a building, but a community —  He’s inviting you to the party!

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