"Masterpieces in Progress" (Ephesians 2:4-10)

Introduction

We can carry a whole lot of frustrations and disappointments from an old year into a new year (with others and ourselves), but it's probably a good idea if we don't. When I read the following quote, and reflect on Ephesians 2:4-10, I'm persuaded to leave my frustrations and disappointments behind, and look for the positivity, hope and possibility of the new year. 

Here’s a quote from Rob Wegner:

"Every disciple is a unique, handcrafted-by-God vessel for expressing the fullness of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus is made to be the unique masterpiece God designed them to be within the context of a healthy, biblical community of faith."

Can we think of ourselves as masterpieces in progress? What is our next step toward being so??

We can think of a sportsperson or an artist, and we see their early performances or work, and we can just see how great they are going to become. Australian cricketer Pat Cummins is surely an example of this - early potential and success followed by a long period of injury, prior to his recent meritorious success. God says that our lives have the potential of being masterpieces as we grow into our potential – the potential God put there in the first place. This happens, in reality, as we more and more express the fullness of Jesus – which means living in the ways of Jesus. This, in turn, happens as we more and more abide in Jesus (within the community of faith).

I grew up in the sort of theological environment that often talked about how I was a miserable sinner. But this was only part of the story – and this was very redeemable. The New Testament certainly has another story to tell. Once we are touched by God’s grace, and we start to follow Jesus as our master and teacher … we are on the way to becoming unique works of art! Being a ‘sinner’ is actually the launching pad from which beauty can come out of the ashes.

As we look at this quote, and recall our passage from Ephesians 2 (especially verse 10), there are various points to make.

1. We Were Created With Great Intent

God brought us into being to have a relationship with Him. God, in the creation of the world, was broadening the community that already existed (Father, Son & Spirit) … for the purposes of investing His love in other beings, and having this returned. There was also a strong intention that this level of relational love … would be paid forward across communities in human relationships. As Leonard Wolcott put it, “God made us to carry out His goodness”. From the dawn of creation, as God appointed us ‘stewards’ of everything He made, God points to the world around us, that we might love as He has loved.

2. God Has Done All The Initial Groundwork

Though humanity has failed, and reaped the consequences of rebellion, God has NOT changed plans NOR lost hope. God continues the search for disciples, and made an ultimate sacrifice in the quest for masterpieces who could reach their potential. As we read our text from Ephesians (2:4-10), we see that the beginnings of each masterpiece happen … when we are met by grace. Our brokenness and rebellion from God … is met by an offer of mercy and forgiveness by God. As we, in faith, accept this free gift, everything changes.

We accept what Jesus has done for us, we begin on a new path. Where we previously did our own thing, we now to defer to the ways of Jesus. Where we previously had NO accountability to anyone, we now voluntarily become accountable to brothers and sisters in the church. Where we were previously limited to our human abilities (and confined by certain limitations), we now have access to the Holy Spirit … through whom we gain new gifts, new effectiveness, new capacity to be part of a team. We are a masterpiece in progress!

3. We Have Become A New Creation with Purpose

Verse 10 shows where we are now heading. We start to re-claim the perfection in which we were created (in the image of God); we clearly recognise that where we have fallen short has been remedied at the cross and at the open tomb of the resurrected Jesus; we understand that we are being re-created in that image of Jesus through God’s Spirit; and, we acknowledge that we are being returned to the purposes for which we were created in the first place. And that purpose is here given as … “good works” – which can be categorised as ‘acts of love’.

Clearly our mindset should NOT be ‘eternal heavenly bliss’ nor ‘luxurious inward experience’, but rather “good works”. We are saved by grace, a gift which has been accepted through faith – which will now be activated and proved in “good works”. As Luther wrote: “Faith is a living restless thing: it cannot be inoperative; we are not saved by works, but if there are no works, there must be something amiss with [our] faith”. Good works prove faith. Good work, sometimes costly service, demonstrates faith.

4. We Are Being Mobilised For Good Works

The “good works” that God planned beforehand for us – are to be our way of life. Having moved from death to life, through God’s grace, we have been renewed and equipped to fulfil our purpose. And as we embrace this … we are masterpieces in progress. The NLT of verse 10 reads: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”. So heads up, you’re a masterpiece in progress!!

And so the motivation toward doing good works … now comes from the right place. Our motivation comes from the heart of God, i.e. God’s love for us, our love for God, and the fullness of Jesus now, increasingly so, operating within us. It is NO longer a matter of guilt … that we should do good works; for any guilt we have for doing the wrong thing, or failing to do the right thing, has been lifted off us … so that we become free to act out of uncomplicated love.

It is also NO longer a matter of obligation … acts of love simply become a free-moving-part of who we are becoming. We should NOT be motivating people toward service through obligation or guilt (as if they owe something), but rather, be encouraging people to service … because they know Jesus, and want to naturally respond to the brokenness around them. In other words, rather than being under undue external pressure, good works should derive from a natural and progressive outflow from a relationship with Jesus.

Having said that – if we find ourselves resistant to what would normally be considered a fairly normal area of service, we may have to look deeply into why, and whether this is saying something about the seriousness of our response to Jesus. As the letter of James would clearly remind us … faith without works can be seriously questioned.

But remember – it’s NOT about guilt; service and ministry to others … is all about love!! We see a person, or a family, or relationships within a community, or this nation, or the world as a whole … in a downward spiral – and because we know Jesus, and the fullness of his love, we are prompted to respond … in some positive way.

5. These Good Works Were Prepared Beforehand

I think verse 10 is really talking about “good works” being, generally speaking, the way we do life – our general attitude. As we journey through life we just do good. This was God’s creative plan for us, that, although interrupted for a period of time, has been re-established through our reception of God’s grace – both in the sense of forgiveness, and also in the sense of Holy Spirit giftedness. The road on which good works can travel has already been built. Now, we serve, as a natural regular course of action!

However, I think there is room to move in translation here – where we could consider that there are particular “good works” God had in mind for us (a long time ago) … to be completed today. So, it might be good for us to think what these “good works”, in very particular terms, could be!? A person, a cause, an issue, some level of conflict or disruption that needs healing, a word of encouragement, a practical expression of love – what is it – what could it be?! We could have been carefully fashioned for particular moments of care.

Whereas we all have the great and general commission to be witnesses and make disciples, building the church and loving our neighbour – within this there would be very unique and particular roles for us to play. NOT that we would take these on alone, but rather see this as part of our corporate adventure together. I do this, you do that – we pray for each other!

We should refer again to our Wegner quote -"Every disciple is a unique, handcrafted-by-God vessel for expressing the fullness of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus is made to be the unique masterpiece God designed them to be within the context of a healthy, biblical community of faith."

God has known forever, who our neighbours would be today … and what their needs would be. God has known for a long time, where the gaps of service are in our community. God knew even before we started our current job, who our colleagues would be. And as we talked about recently, God is always preparing the way, and equipping His people.

Conclusion

We are God’s workmanship through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are God’s handiwork – becoming more like Jesus every day. God’s hands are at the potter’s wheel … shaping us. We are masterpieces in progress.

The painting that is our life, is starting to show a promising form. Sometimes the brushwork gets stalled, because we get bogged down in the past. We need to throw off any shame that still inhibits us, and that we can be tricked into dwelling in. The forgiveness of God is flowing our way … along the highway of mercy, and we should be claiming our victory in Jesus.

We are masterpieces in progress!

Christmas Day Message

For me the greatest news around Christmas time, is that, no matter what, God is with us. And surely, given all the complexity, difficulty, loss and trauma (close to hand and across the world) that we have endured in 2018, it is indeed good news to know that – God is with us. This should surely change the lens through which we view everything … and also how we react to everything! And we know, here, from our recent look into Hebrews, that God is with us especially in any times of suffering. The God who is with us, is truly with us, because this God enters into our pain. Through all of this, there is a way in which our more challenging times are likely to produce more faith and growth than our comfortable times.

The fact that “God is with us” indicates that God is personal and relational. Whereas the world may think that it cannot see God, the world has had God living within it. In a way, many in the world still search for God, when God has already found us – if we were just to recognise this! Jesus, the Son of God, member of God’s divine community of three, left heaven behind to enter the world. Christmas reminds us that, because we and all creation are so highly loved and valued, God came as a human in the person of Jesus. And while Jesus didn’t come in our time, but rather 20 centuries ago, we have records of Jesus’ life – how he lived and the impact he made.

From beginning to end, the Gospels tell of how “God is with us”. And the story goes on from there – as many millions have encountered Jesus and followed him, based on the change he has brought … through his sacrificial service on the cross, and the death-defying open tomb. This was NOT just an everyday common life – Jesus brought light into darkness, hope into despair, and life where there was only death. The Gospel of Matthew begins with an assurance to Joseph (and to us) … that God has entered our neighbourhood, and ends with a promise that this act of personal human identification can continue – as Jesus says to his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20b).

Each Gospel writer is keen to show that every positive thought, intention and promise delivered in Old Testament times, and seen in the Hebrew Scriptures, has culminated (and been fulfilled) in the coming of Jesus to earth. This is God’s BIG and only response to our need for compassion, forgiveness and salvation. Jesus was and IS God’s rescue plan to reclaim humanity, inaugurate God’s Kingdom, and see the barriers between heaven and earth diminish. We might pause to admit, that we have a long way to go. We might debate whether we are in better or worse shape than we have been before!? But, in any case, we don’t lack for a solution.

When we see in Matthew, how Isaiah (7:14) has been quoted, we note that this indicates … that no matter how deep and punishing are the problems a community faces, God is available to us. God is firstly faithful, and then, because of this, merciful. God deeply desires to know people who have an open and humble heart that will return to Him. And God was willing to pay a heavy price for this level of love. For Jesus to “save his people from their sins”, meant taking upon himself a huge weight.

The name of Jesus means “God is salvation”. The name “Emmanuel” more indicates a role or personal description, just like other names Jesus was known by: ‘Christ’, ‘Messiah’, ‘Anointed One’. In Isaiah, the promise of “Immanuel” reflected a hope that God would make Himself present with his people – to rescue them from their feelings of defeat. So it was, that salvation wouldn’t just come impersonally from a distance, but rather close-up and intimately. As D A Carson puts it, “No greater blessing can be conceived than for God to dwell with his people”.

Again, this doesn’t mean that we will live pain-free in this world, Joseph and Mary had many complications – but it DOES mean we will have a sense of guidance through whatever comes across our path. “God is with us” is the good news of Christmas! Yet, good news is only really good news, if it is activated (rather than just celebrated). There are at least three levels of activation of the good news – which are, of course, all closely connected.

The first is where we look inside, and see whether we need to receive the grace and mercy … which is on offer … and is also very close-by. If any sin, or sense of guilt or shame, or any feeling of brokenness, is separating us from God’s best for us, then we need to find our release through the Christ-child – the God of salvation. In this we will have a measure of freedom from fear, and can give our total allegiance and trust to Jesus (and Jesus alone) … never to be easily diverted again. Joseph heard well the voice of the angel, and did as he had been commanded (v.24).

The second recommended activation is getting to know Jesus and following in his ways (as recorded in the Gospels). In this you will find ultimate peace and joy, with the life and ways of Jesus likely ‘rubbing off on you’; or, as we often say, becoming closer and closer to the image of Christ. At the same time you would likely recognise the presence of Jesus in those times where this would be most appreciated, e.g. at the doctors’, in the hospital, with the children, at the job interview, at all times of crisis – relational and otherwise. Sometimes Jesus walks beside us, sometimes he leads from out front, sometimes he gently pushes us forward from behind; other times … Jesus carries us!

The third necessary (and recommended) activation, is where we look outward, to all the dislocation, disharmony and dysfunction in the world, and consider our role in being peacemakers and change-agents. As our load has been lightened through forgiveness, and as our faith strengthens, we become such light-filled and hopeful people, that we can seriously make a difference for others … on an ever-increasing scale. We find again the purpose for which we were created, and our particular calling in partnering with God. Even small gestures of love, of tenderness, of care, make people feel that the Lord is with us. This is how the highway of mercy begins.

Jesus actively ministered to the outcasts, oppressed and sick. Followers of Jesus over the centuries have participated in successful efforts to include the needs of children and women, release people from slavery, and improve access to education and medical care.  Before quoting from that great early Christological hymn in Philippians chapter 2, Paul writes that we should have the same mind-set that Jesus did (2:5). This was the serving mind-set, that takes us beyond our own interest to the interests of others, and the needs of the world (2:4).

Before we cower at the complexity of this, we should quickly remember that, yes, “God is with us”! Mountains can be moved by the faithful followers of Jesus!! And this all starts in a simple place – in a humble place – in a stable, bowing before a manger, recognising that the child within … is the Christ Child, the King of kings, the Redeemer of the world – “God is with us”. Will you believe in him? Will you trust him? Will you follow him?

Christmas Message for Bright Carols in the Park

I am a person who enjoys putting up lights around the front of our house each Christmas. This simply lifts my spirits. I also enjoy the fruit of other people’s labour – like we see here in Bright each year down Delany Ave and other places. I think this, for me, recaptures some of my boyhood wide-eyed love of Christmas – certainly a special time of the year. We need this brightness and joy and excitement in our lives. I have recently read about a scientific study – that has shown that Christmas decorators are doing themselves, and their neighbours … a lot of good.

I do hesitate though … before putting up the lights. There is often so much sadness around – which you don’t want to ignore, or be seeming to ignore, or to take too lightly. For some, Christmas can be a difficult time because of the loss of loved ones or loneliness. Most of us know people who are unwell in hospital, or are living with mental-health challenges. There is stress within many relationships. So many people are suffering in war-torn countries or refugee camps or in homelessness. We have to be realistic that all is NOT as it should be in the world, even in our own neighbourhood.

But then, I stop hesitating, and put up my lights; because any of that sadness or unfairness around us, actually means that we need Christmas all the more! We need hope, peace, and a way forward; and Christmas has great potential to give us these gifts. For Christmas represents a time where love has been shared across humanity. Christmas is the time when Jesus came into to world (as a child) to bless our lives. A new born king is here. So putting up some lights, or enjoying other people’s decorations, are part of a celebration of God’s love … that brings so much potential for better outcomes.

Lights that brighten the neighbourhood, and Christmas trees, the sending of greetings, the giving and receiving of presents, and the singing of carols, all serve to remind each other that there is hope of a better world, where people come closer together, where people look beyond the person in the mirror … to the needs of others, where fear gives way to compassion and hospitality. We can take this opportunity to share words of encouragement in our family and toward our neighbours – in the hope that these expressions of goodwill spread abroad, and break down some of the existing barriers between people.

Christmas lights speak to me about so many things. Christmas can come around quickly – but it is oh so important! Christmas is a time, where, as the much loved carol says, “… the weary world rejoices – for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”. This is indeed a thrill of hope. The King of kings … laying in a lowly manger – has been born to be our friend. God's gift to humanity - Jesus. So, joy to the world; peace be with you! Happy Christmas. Let’s continue to celebrate.

"Do This in Remembrance of Me" (communion talk)

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me”. Originally, in the early church, communion was attached to the normal household meal. As worship developed in other places of meeting, the sacrament of communion was included as an important way of focussing on the source and means of our salvation. “Do this in remembrance of me”, Jesus said.

For we would NEVER want to forget, yet humans so easily forget. The joy, for me, in celebrating communion every Sunday, having come from a slightly different tradition in the Baptist Church, where you usually only have communion at certain services – is that, in our worship together here, we can never drift from the centrality of Jesus. Jesus – in his sacrificial service on the cross; and Jesus – in his resurrection … leading to our new life. “Do this in remembrance of me”!

But what is, “this”? Yes … taking the bread, and sharing the cup. But surely this “remembrance” is also, or even mainly, about what these symbols represent – sacrificial service and new life. Doing “this” … today”, also means doing the meaning of “this” … tomorrow. We would live as those who have received forgiveness by offering forgiveness. We would live like those who have received sacrificial service by serving others. We would live like those who have received ‘new life’ by offering the reality of joy, hope, peace and faith to others.

And this is how, we can, with integrity, pray those words, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done – on earth as it is in heaven”. We can pray these words, because we are also committed to be part of the outcome. We want to see the lines between heaven and earth fade away. So we live out our lives in forgiveness, service and peace. “Do this in remembrance of me”!

We also come … each time … to that place of mercy at the communion table, because, sometimes, “this” is NOT that easy! But here, every time we come, we find Jesus to be faithful to us in his commitment to our well-being … and to our spiritual growth. We can, not only, say, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come – but also “Great is Your faithfulness”.

We are being enlivened, enabled and equipped for life. Through the Holy Spirit, moving around us and within us, we can indeed … “Do this is in remembrance of Jesus”! So this “remembrance” is NOT just about things past, but also the great hope that lies in the present and future … because of what this bread and cup symbolise. We want to say, “I will never forget – I never will forget!!

"Preparing the Way" (Isaiah 40:1-5)

Prelude

We have arrived again at the Christmas season.

What are we going to make of it this year?

Will the world be better prepared for Jesus this year?

What is our role in this?

Do we find ways to point toward Jesus??

Or, do we let other things predominate our thinking??

Introduction

The ancient prophets of Israel in the Old Testament were constantly reminding people to focus on the big ticket items in life. Like being humble, kind and just – looking after vulnerable orphans and widows – loving our neighbour. The ability to live and serve in this way, always depended upon the strength of the people’s relationship with God. And … when God was forgotten, and this was revealed in the people’s lifestyle and behaviours – life for the people of Israel and Judah usually went pear-shaped. On two famous occasions the kingdoms of Israel were militarily defeated, and large numbers were taken off to the north into exile under the control of Assyria or Babylon.

Despite this, prophets like Isaiah … would also want to remind such people, that, even though they had rebelled, God had NOT forgotten them, and desired to bring them back into full relationship with Him. [This all plays out in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son.] Even though they had been attracted to other gods of various descriptions, and, even though they had often ignored the injustice in their midst – God still loved them, in the hope that the great potential created within them could still be brought out (to the good of all). And, as we recently talked about, God just cannot forget the world He created, and all its inhabitants (Psalm 24:1). As Alec Motyer wrote, “They have abandoned [God] but He has not abandoned them; like tiny children they have stumbled in the uncertain paths of the world and will be bruised by their fall – but they have a God rushing to pick them up in His arms”.

Our Lord is a missionary God – who is constantly leading us back to His ways and will – so that others, too, may find the right road. So, the TRUE prophets like Isaiah, would, along the way, provide clear insight as to how God would respond and act, bringing direct challenges for God’s people of all generations … of how to get on board! Part of this is the repeating call for a change of heart (also picked up in the New Testament). The forgiveness, that comes out of God’s great heart of love, is NOT offered begrudgingly, rather, offered in the hope that it will result in the ongoing transformation of lives toward God’s great purposes.

Isaiah chapter 40

An example of all this is Isaiah chapter 40 (with similar words found also in Malachi chapter 3). In verses 1 & 2, Isaiah reflects God’s loving heart. God looks upon what His people’s lives have become, and can only respond with emotional tenderness (v 2a). This is because, despite their rebellion, and … their own responsibility for this situation, the results have certainly brought great suffering, and perpetuated a sense of spiritual desolation. Enough is surely enough, and you would think that they would want to return to the God of their forefathers, and to live again in their promised land.

The Babylonian exile has certainly been a punishing experience. It’s surely time that they have learnt their lesson. And God is always planning a new season, which will always be better than the previous or present one. In very well-known past history, God had planned for a blessed time for the Israelites following their time of slavery in Egypt; and now God was planning a new season following more recent defeat and exile. God will surely take the initiative! The relationships people have with God need to be renewed – and can be renewed!! AND, “A VOICE CRIES OUT” (v 3a)!!!

“A voice cries out”. This could be the voice of God. This could be the voice of the prophet … Isaiah. This could be the voice of one who has heard the call to return to God, and (desperately) wants to find their way back. This could be the voice of one who is on the way back … and wants others to come too. In any case, this, I reckon, is a voice of FUTURE HOPE! This is the voice that communicates … with an ultimate level of cooperation with God. This is a rally call! Some will join rapidly, others will take some time, others will need some convincing, others will sadly decline. But, we need to hear this voice, and we also need to be this voice!!

Whatever our situation, and in the everyday earthly chaos that sometimes resembles a “wilderness” or ‘desert’, we need to hear what God is on about, grab hold of this, and partner up with it. God is on the move – it’s time to get the roads ready – “prepare the way for the Lord” (v 3b)! [We see in any new housing development, how they have to build good roads to provide easy and proper access.] The ‘exiles’ have suffered enough – their rebellion, sin and trauma has bound them for too long already!! Their spiritual desolation must be addressed. Rather than just despair at the state of the world (like we might just throwing our hands up in the air in pointless judgment), God is preparing the world for a new season!

We should want to be one of those voices that cry out (in one form or another), “make straight a highway for our God” (v 3c)! But, more to the point, and much more relevant to our contemporary situation, we need to live lives of integrity … that say on our behalf … “make straight a highway for our God”? We need to demonstrate that God’s new season is working for us (in real and practical ways). Never forget that the fruit of our lives must always be consistent with the words we wish to speak.

If we can pull this off in any sort of credible and noticeable way, joining voices in harmony with God – there will be evident changes right across our community, right across our nation, and right around God’s world (refer to verse 4). The depths of the valleys, and the enormity of the mountains, and the pitfalls of uneven ground, and the roughness of our environment … will all be levelled, so that life can be lived again in peace! This is how much a difference God can make to each and every life He enters.

And … we will all again hear the call – to be good stewards of the earth, love our neighbour, and be advocates for the redemption of people’s lives to their Creator! As we continue to remark on the significance of verse 4 – the low-points, the huge challenges, the relational tripping-points, the daily grind … can all be levelled out, at least to the point of gaining new perspective; and more than likely … a whole lot more, for we know the power of mercy and forgiveness, love and grace, coming into our lives.

This is where we are captured by God’s heart of emotional tenderness, and pay that forward … heart to heart. Ultimately, as more and more people experience the Lord in a transformative way – more and more the “glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together” (v 5a). This is why we gather in worship, this is why we get involved in ministry and mission – that “the glory of the Lord will be revealed … “. Surely all the peoples of the world, need to know about the creative might and wisdom of this glorious God – majestic beyond compare!

John the Baptist

We have heard these words (from Isaiah 40: 3-5) in the New Testament too! Who spoke these words??? John the Baptist spoke these words (e.g. Mark 1:1-11), in preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. Despite a rough exterior, here was a man motivated by the heart of God for His people. We see John the Baptist’s fearless prophetic ministry culminate in identifying Jesus as the Messiah. This also culminated in Jesus being baptised by John in the Jordan river, showing that Jesus (the Son of God) was fully identifying with humanity, and would be our ‘great high priest’ (Heb 4:14-16). Then this stunning and breath-taking ministry of Jesus … was all confirmed by the Holy Spirit falling upon Jesus with God’s commendation.

John the Baptist, in everything he said and did, pointed to the One who would bring the “glory of the Lord” to the earth. John the Baptist sought to “make straight a path for Jesus”. John the Baptist did this by alerting people to the need to “repent” – meaning to change their ways, to turn around, in some cases to totally change direction, to look in a different place for their allegiance. John the Baptist came out from where he was living in the desert, having very meagre resources (and an ordinary diet); but a complete clarity of mind – pointing out that forgiveness was possible! John the Baptist was truly a voice of FUTURE HOPE. Here was the rally call! Some joined rapidly, others took some time, others needed some longer-term convincing, others sadly declined.

And despite some concerted opposition to the ‘new Jesus season’, we read in the Gospels and Acts how thousands came to believe and follow Jesus over the next decade and beyond. Now, lest we idolise or elevate John the Baptist too much, and then think that we couldn’t do what he did – John is quick to put himself in perspective. Compared to Jesus, John the Baptist was not worthy enough to even stoop down and undo Jesus’ sandals (Mark 1:7). Yet, John was chosen, called and empowered – and we are still talking about his role (in preparing the way) today! The point is: the humble servant … can be used mightily – which can be any of us, and hopefully … will be … all of us.

Our Christmas Message

We live in that space between Jesus’ ascension and his second coming. Can we “make a straight path for Jesus”? To be “straight” here means: unmistakable, level, smooth, and pictures a journey made without difficulty … with certainty of arrival. So, this is a path that is NOT confused with hypocrisies or unessentials or disunity. For, this is the ‘mercy’ highway! Not just any road! In a largely broken, fragmented and polarised world – it is words of ‘mercy’ that will touch base. “Comfort [encourage] MY people”, says the Lord (Is 40:1)!!! Speak with emotional tenderness. Speak from our own lives; that like John the Baptist, have already been encountered by the saving forgiveness of God. Speak as one blessed by the Holy Spirit. Be fruitful!

Sadly, there is much about Christmas, even the fun bits, that tend to mask the Christ Child who came to save the world!! Don’t expect the Christmas sermons or the Christmas music to create the “highway” to Jesus alone. The Christmas message of Jesus has to be lived out with honesty, creativity and integrity. As we again recall Psalm 24, a pure heart and clean hands are what we need. To be adequately and effectively preparing, we need to give God our complete loyalty, and defer to Him alone. The Christmas message of Jesus will NEVER make sense when there is a lack of mercy and grace evident in our relationships or opinions. The world watches to see … who the God we worship … is!

Conclusion

Let us prepare the way for Jesus this Christmas, so that people might see beyond the gloss – and experience the Christ child … who can actually change everything for the better! [We prepare the way … for the One … who is 'the Way'!] Let’s echo the voice of FUTURE HOPE that says, “The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed”, and be expectant that people will indeed experience the fulness of God’s personal presence – that all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken”. There is so much spiritual poverty around us – can we present another alternative … so that this state of being is fully recognised, and the better alternative can be fully embraced?!

I was reflecting on the scene of the two friends of a particular blind girl, trying to describe to her … the wonderful toy displayed in the shop window. Yet, it is so difficult to describe something to a person who has never been able to see. So, the antidote to spiritual blindness has to be demonstrated. We prepare the way for others to meet Jesus – as our faith, peace, light and joy point to him. Joy to the World – the Lord has come! Jesus is OUR reason for this season – let’s make the most of it! As we get ourselves ready for another Christmas, is there something fresh we can do with our lives or with our homes … that can publicly display God’s message of welcome, mercy and hospitality? Amen.