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Christmas
Eve by Reverend Murray Spackman, Vicar Wednesday 24th December, 2003 Luke 2: 11-12, 14.. At a gathering of one of our Young Adults group a couple of weeks ago, I invited them to read through the beginning of each of the four gospels just to see what each of them actually had to say about the birth of Jesus. . We noted, as you will have in your own reading of the gospels, that Matthews gospel mentions the wise men, or Magi; , Mark’s gospel doesn’t say anything at all about the birth of Jesus but begins 30 years later with the ministry of John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus, Luke’s gospel mentions the shepherds, and John’s gospel speaks about the pre-existence of Jesus, as the Son of God, before he was born, and introduces his birth as that Light that came into the world. Tonight and tomorrow we celebrate in earnest, that momentous event – described in slightly different - but nevertheless complimentary ways, in each of the gospels - where in one way or another we see Jesus as that light which came into the darkness of this world. Our gospel reading tonight comes from St.Luke’s account where the angels announce to the shepherds the birth of the Saviour. In fact, the angels more than just announce Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem – they actually give us , also some instructions as to how we can make the most of Christmas – and this is not dependent on what presents we receive or how much money we have spent. We have in tonights Gospel reading three instructions on how to make the most of this Christmas! 1. The First instruction the angels give us is that Christmas is a time for Celebration.! “Don’t be afraid” said the angels “ I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.” Christmas is undoubtedly a time to celebrate all that God has given us and done for us. Amidst all the negativity which sometime surfaces at Christmas time that its over-hyped and over-commercialised – Christmas is nevertheless the time to Celebrate! In a poll, the results of which were published in this mornings Herald, 23% gave their opinion that Christmas was over-comercialised. Interestingly, in a “so called” secular society, the next highest poll was 17% who said that it’s a sacred time, recalling the birth of Jesus. So lets not feel guilty about our celebrations, but let us enjoy them. If the angels announced that they had brought good news which would bring great joy – then surely we ought to respond appropriately and celebrate.! So lets take some time to set aside our problems and our pressures for a moment and focus on God – the fact that God has come to us in a way that we can understand – in the form and likeness of a human being – and lets celebrate that momentous event. So the first instruction from the angels is that it is a time for Celebration! 2. The second instruction the angels gave us that it is a time for Salvation: “ this very day, your Saviour is born. If we needed information, God would have sent an Educator. If we needed more government, God would have sent a Politician. But what we most need is salvation! - so God sent us a Saviour. What is “salvation” ? – simply put, it’s forgiveness for my past… power to manage my present problems … and a guarantee for my future. And this is a gift from God. But like any gift , you must accept it in order to benefit from it. Surf- Lifeguards tell us that they cannot rescue or save people until they stop trying to save themselves. If you have not yet done so - Will you receive that free gift of eternal life from God today, by accepting all that Jesus Christ has done for you by his birth, his life, his death and resurrection, and trust yourself eternally into his care? Don’t try and save yourself – you cant possibly make it! Jesus has done it all for you, and offers you Salvation as a gift. So Christmas is a time for Celebration! - it is also a time for Salvation. 3. The third instruction of the angels recorded in Luke’s gospel is that we are to make Christmas a time for reconciliation. “Peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.” If ever there is a time to seek to restore broken or strained relationships – it is surely at Christmas. Christmas is a time to say “I’m sorry”, and those hardest of all words to say - “will you forgive me?” Christmas is also a time to offer forgiveness to all those who have hurt you. The order is that first you make peace WITH God, and then you receive the peace OF God. It always works in that order! Once you have experienced the salvation of God – and His peace in your life – THEN you can share that, and make peace with others . So those are the three instructions which the angels brought to the Shepherds – and I think those instructions are worth our following this Christmas season. Make it a time for Celebration: Make it a time for Salvation: and make it a time for Reconciliation. |
