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?