Christmas advert really have become all the rage. Which is your favourite this year? The penguin love of John Lewis, the touching remembrance of Sainsbury's or the fairy magic of M&S. I wonder how many of you remember this one?
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without your M&S. Really?! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without your M&S. Is that what Christmas is all about? Little mints, fizz, frivolity, stuffing, jumpers, little black dresses, sweet angels, lovely stuff delivered straight to your door, getting your glad rags on…
What about you? For most people, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without…A turkey and all the trimmings, a tree and its decorations, a sack full of presents delivered by Santa and his reindeer, or time with the family. But, as good as all those things are, is that really all Christmas is about? Is there an alternative to the Christmas M&S paints for us? Or is that really all there is?
Well, if you are a Christian hopefully you can say we believe in Christmas with a little twist. We believe Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Jesus. Why? Because of what his birth means for us. To illustrate that I want to share some words from one of the accounts in the Bible of Jesus’ birth. It was written by a doctor called Luke. He records the words spoke by the angels to the shepherd when they were given the news of Jesus’ birth. Luke writes this “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
From what the angels say Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Jesus because his birth is good news. Did you notice why it is good news? The angel proclaimed it will bring great joy for all people. Great joy because there will be peace for those on whom God’s favour rest. This story is good news because it brings with it the hope of peace with God.
It is important we are clear what this peace is. It is not a warm fuzzy feeling or a moment of tranquility. Instead it is the peace that comes at the end of hostility. At various points in the Bible, humanity is described as being God’s enemies. Why? Because the Bible says that humanity has rebelled against the God who made them. We want to do things our own way rather than His way. We do this all the time. As you make decisions every day, do you consider God? When you enjoy this amazing world, do you consider God? The Bible tells us that when we live with no consideration of God, we are not in a neutral place. Instead we are opposing him.
But how is this peace possible? The angels also told the shepherds how God’s peace was possible, a saviour had been born. Saviour? What is a saviour? It might seem like a particularly 'Christian' word but we use this word all the time. Imagine your cat gets stuck up the tree and the hunky fireman gets him down. What do you call him? ‘My saviour!’ A saviour is anyone who comes to the rescue of someone in trouble. But this saviour doesn’t rescue your cat instead he brings peace with God.
The angels were also clear that this peace was only available for those on who God’s favour rests. We have a choice to make. Do we believe Jesus is the one can bring peace? The shepherds searched out the baby and believed he was. We must do the same. To know peace with God we must find Jesus.
So as we head into this Christmas period let's make sure our festivities are all shaped with the truth that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Jesus. Let's make Jesus central to all we do and pray that our friends and family who don't know Christ will see that in us as well. Our desire is for them to come to know that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the saviour who came to make peace with God a reality.
But how is this peace possible? The angels also told the shepherds how God’s peace was possible, a saviour had been born. Saviour? What is a saviour? It might seem like a particularly 'Christian' word but we use this word all the time. Imagine your cat gets stuck up the tree and the hunky fireman gets him down. What do you call him? ‘My saviour!’ A saviour is anyone who comes to the rescue of someone in trouble. But this saviour doesn’t rescue your cat instead he brings peace with God.
The angels were also clear that this peace was only available for those on who God’s favour rests. We have a choice to make. Do we believe Jesus is the one can bring peace? The shepherds searched out the baby and believed he was. We must do the same. To know peace with God we must find Jesus.
So as we head into this Christmas period let's make sure our festivities are all shaped with the truth that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Jesus. Let's make Jesus central to all we do and pray that our friends and family who don't know Christ will see that in us as well. Our desire is for them to come to know that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the saviour who came to make peace with God a reality.
