Christmas is coming

Can you imagine a world without Christmas? A world where Jesus had never been born? A world without the Christian faith?

The impact of that first Christmas has been huge. It has impacted thousands, millions, even billions as they have come to know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, and many more by its influence and impact on life and society across the globe and down through the centuries. It is said that all that is good about the West finds its roots in the Christian faith – historians and atheists acknowledge it – remove it and we are in trouble. The sanctity of life, dignity of all, freedom, justice, care for all, education, etc..

It had been a long time coming. Humanity made in the image of God and for joyful fellowship with God, had separated itself from its creator through going its own way and plunged itself into darkness – a separation and darkness that would go on to impact the whole human race. But. And its a big but.

But God, who is love, a love not originated at creation or the coming of Jesus, but was there from all eternity in the eternal relations of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, had a plan.

The plan was that in the fullness of time, at the right time, Jesus, the second person of the Trinity would leave the glory of heaven and take on human flesh, flesh just like ours. Flesh subject to crying, to need, to trials and temptation, to suffering and death.

His name would be called Emmanuel – God with us; And Jesus – because he would save his people from their sins. God made flesh in order to save. Staggering!

No man or woman could do it – all have sinned.

It needed someone who was God and man. And so the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Very God. Very man. And we “beheld his glory, the glory of the one and only (or only begotten) Son of the Father.”

No wonder Elizabeth’s baby lept with joy in his mother’s womb when Mary pregnant with the Saviour met Elizabeth, no wonder Mary rejoiced at all that God was doing, no wonder the angels sang and the shepherd’s returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God, and no wonder the Kings, or wise men, fell to their knees and worshipped him. Wonder. Joy. Worship.

Have you encountered him?

Maybe you’ve lost sight of Christmas, or rather the Christ of Christmas?

Why not go to a Carol service, read the story again, reflect on the truth and allow the wonder of it all to thrill your soul once again.

God loves. Jesus saves. Let the joy return! Come and worship. Enjoy the season!