Christmas Lights...

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is the lights. It seems that Christmas lights up the world. Yesterday was December 21st the winter solstice, this is the longest night of the year and the shortest time of daylight in the year.  So it's interesting to me that when we're in the darkest part of the year, Christmas pierces the darkness with light. Lights were important in the first Christmas.  The angels did the dazzling light show in the sky, the wise men saw another bright light in the sky - a star- and they followed it to where Jesus was born. I want us to look for a few more minutes on the light of Christmas for your dark days.  Looking back at 2011 it got me thinking about specifically 3 types of dark days;  Dark days of disappointment, distress, and doubt.  Maybe you can relate to at least one of those. 

Dark days of disappointment

There's been a lot of disappointing news just lately in our country.  The economy going down, the unemployment rate going up. More days of austerity, its going to get worse before it gets better There's lots of disappointing news!!

Dark days of distress

That's when you feel overwhelmed, when you're stressed out, stretched to the limit, frustrated.  You've got too much to do and you don't have enough time, you don't have enough money, you don't have enough energy.  My guess is that some of you are in dark days of distress right now.  You may be stressed out financially.  There's too much of the month left over at the end of the money.

Dark days of doubt

Do you ever lose your way?  Do you ever feel like you're up in a cloud and your head is in a fog?  When you look at your past you get disappointments.  When you look at your present, you get stress. When you look at your future, you get doubtful and worried. 

So where do you turn in your dark days.  What's the antidote?  The Bible says  "You Lord, are my light; you dispel my darkness." Because of Christmas you don't have to stay in the dark.  For me there are 3 ways that the light of Jesus can bring to our lives: 

He will encourage me when I'm disappointed; He will strengthen me when I'm distressed and He will guide me when I'm doubtful.

This Christmas, you may feel overwhelmed.  Maybe you're going through one of these dark days -- the dark day of disappointment, or distress or doubt The good news is because of Christmas, there is now a light in the world that can drive away that darkness.  His name. is Jesus!!

One night

Long ago

He came

God

Took on flesh

And lived

Among us

He came quietly

Miraculously

Humbly

Willingly

He came to love

To heal

To serve

He came to redeem

To renew

To save

He came for everyone

He came for You!

He came

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

Christmas Starts with Christ...

A trendy nativity scene is being used in a poster aimed at reminding the British public that Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas. Christian charity Church-Ads.net launched the poster for its Christmas advertising campaign some weeks ago. Maybe you’ve seen it?

It shows the nativity scene with “trendy twenty-somethings, designer fashion and luxury gifts”, as part of its “Christmas starts with Christ” promotion, which is now in its third year.

In the poster, the shepherds are represented by a cycle courier and plasterer. The wise men are shown as three successful entrepreneurs and their gifts are iconic ‘treasures’ of modern culture: a Swarovski crystal perfume bottle, a Fabergé egg and a replica Damien Hirst skull. All are ‘sharply dressed’. “But the traditional nativity arrangement is unchanged, with Jesus as its clear focus," Mike Elms, of ChurchAds.net, said. “This year we have a very simple but dramatic idea by showing the meeting of Christianity and high street consumerism, with Christ in the middle.”

What do think about when you hear the word “Christmas”? I came across this poem recently by Marilyn Ferguson, it reminds us of the different types of images and memories that flood our minds when we start to think about Christmas.

Some people think of Christmas

As sleigh rides in the cold

A tree that glistens of tinsel

And decorations of silver and gold.

Some people think of Christmas

As stockings dressed in red

A crackling glowing fireplace

And a warm and cosy bed.

Some people think of Christmas

As faces filled with glee

Sharing stories, fun and laughter

And gathering 'round the tree.

Some people think of Christmas

As gifts wrapped up in blue

Writing letters to their loved ones

And Christmas carolling too.

Some people think of Christmas

As snow falling on the ground

The hustle and bustle of shoppers

And the joy that's spread around.

Some people think of Christmas

As the Lord who dwells above

Who sent His son to die for us

And gave the gift of love.

For me these words from the beginning of John’s gospel remind me of the key idea for why we celebrate Christmas  “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

The season of Advent

I’m sure you will have seen on TV the new  John Lewis advert : The Long Wait The aim of the advert, besides pointing you to do your shopping at John Lewis is to press home the real meaning of Christmas - that it is better to give than to receive. If your heart hasn't been melted by The Long Wait then it is made of flint, and Scrooge-like you deserve to be visited by every ghost going. Remember, out of the mouths of babes and all that. The child in question is seven-year-old Lewis McGowan, who in the ad spends 10 days counting off the hours, minutes and seconds until Christmas. Not so he can indulge in a frenzied present-opening fest, but so that he can experience the joy of giving his parents a special gift of his own. See, it's better to give than to receive - that's the twist, and it took a child to point that out. This is John Lewis focusing on core family values, in these economic belt-tightening times. And it has captured the public mood. The ad first launched on Twitter and YouTube, allowing time to generate chatter before it landed in the nation's front rooms during ITV's The X Factor a few weeks ago.

Last Sunday was the 1^st Sunday in Advent, this signifies the beginning of the four weeks before Christmas, we call it the Advent season. It’s the time of year when we prepare for Christmas. The common dictionary definition of advent refers to the coming or arrival of something extremely important. It’s interesting that the definition implies both the expectation and the fulfilment of that expectation. That seems especially fitting as it applies to the Christmas season. We know the outcome of the Christmas story, unlike the people who first heard the words from Isaiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” And yet, we still anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year we can find new meaning in the familiar scriptures and songs, the familiar order of events.

We live with both the expectation and fulfilment. Because Jesus was born in a manger and died on the cross, we have the promise of eternal life. Because of Christmas, we can live in the promise “nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

As you prepare for Christmas this year, that in the midst of all the hustle, stress and busyness that comes with getting ready for Christmas Day, don’t forget to prepare for the real reason for the season; the birth of the Son of God – Jesus Christ. May you discover new hope and meaning in this Advent season, as you live in the expectation and fulfilment of God’s love.