The widows on our Advent Calendar have been telling us about the events we sing about in this favourite Christmas Carol:
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around.
'To you in David's town this day is born of David's line,
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be the sign:
'The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling bands and in a manger laid.'
(Nahum Tate 1652-1715)
Read Luke 2: 15-20
Verse 19 has always been a phrase which has caused me to do what Mary did – to ponder, think about what these events meant to those who lived through them. To me the word ponder is a positive word but when I looked a bit more closely at the word Luke wrote in his gospel, I discovered that it also has the meaning of dispute or argue. Those words change my image of Mary and perhaps gives us a more realistic picture of how confusing it must have been to live through these events.
Mary tried to make sense of unusual and strange events and I guess most of us have found ourselves pondering on the unusual and strange times we are living through. Some of you have already told me you have too much time to ponder on things and even the most optimistic among us have probably had times when our usual view of things being ‘half-full’ has become ‘half-empty’.
At those times of negativity is it hard to pull ourselves out of an ever-increasing spiral of dark thoughts, but particularly at Christmas time we do have something to help us out of the darkness – we have the light of Christmas. You perhaps have a candle you can light or simply focus for a moment on the lights on your Christmas tree and remember that Jesus came to bring the light of God into our lives. As you look at the candlelight or tree-lights think about the many ways in which God has previously helped you and say thank you, before renewing your faith in him to lead you through any difficulties you face. The words I used last Sunday as I led us in prayer, may help you:
‘when we consider what life would be like without a Saviour,
we are Lord God overwhelmed with thanks
for Jesus – Immanuel – God with us.’
So, when we find ourselves pondering on the things we are not allowed to do this Christmas, it is time to start counting our blessings. Christmas has not been cancelled, the joy and peace brought to us through God giving us a Saviour is there no matter how many restrictions are put on our lives. If you can look at the websites of ‘Open Doors’ or ‘Christian Solidarity Wordwide’ you can read about and ponder on those who will spend Christmas in prison because of their Christian faith. Count your blessings.
Also ponder on the many, many people around the world who before visiting the doctor have to make sure that they have enough money to pay for their appointment. Count your blessings and ponder on the work of The Leprosy Mission, as they bring help and hope into lives which are full of fear and darkness.
Ponder on those around the world who live in areas of conflict or war. The internet tells me there are 10 official wars and 8 active military conflicts as well as many other violent conflicts involving another 64 countries and 576 militias and separatist groups. Count your blessings.
Many of you received a newsletter from ‘Embracing the Middle East’ (EME) the charity who we made a donation to after the explosion in Beirut. While reporting about terrible circumstances, the newsletter is full of hope as it tells us about projects where Christians are bringing the light of Jesus into lives in very practical ways. (If you haven’t received it, I can email it to you).
We have so many blessing to thank God for, so when people moan to you in person, or on the TV about our circumstances, look to your Christmas lights and remember the Saviour whose birth we are celebrating. Then thank God for his tidings of comfort and joy.
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, O my soul - O my soul, worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul - I'll worship Your holy name
(Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman © 2011 ThankYou Music)
There are still spaces available for you to join us outside where we are allowed to sing Christmas Carols:
Sunday 20th at 4pm outside St. John’s Parish Church (Culmington Rd) Christmas Eve at 4pm on the lawn by our Christmas Tree.
Please book-in beforehand by emailing or texting me –
Stephen – turvesgreenbaptists@gamil.com / 07456 826 326