All around us we see advertising signs of one type or another promoting their products and creating public awareness. Signs can be informational, directional, instructional, and even challenging and inspirational.
It's much like Christmas for the Christian believer. God displayed His love to the world and gave us a clear sign to herald the arrival of the greatest Gift we have ever known. The sign was Jesus.
Christina Rossetti expressed this well in her lyrics, Love Came Down At Christmas.
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign."
PS. I'm happy now that I've got a Star and Angel to complement my fibre-optic tree.
Isaiah 7:14 (MSG) ~ "...the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us)."
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Monday, 10 December 2007
Christmas Is A Time
Today we commenced our Christmas series focussing on John's alternative Christmas narrative ~ "For God so loved the world...". We were reminded that Christmas is about worship. Christmas means the “Mass of Christ”, or more simply, the 'worship of Christ'.God's expression of ‘Love’ is the key to the WONDER and JOYFUL CELEBRATION of Christmas. It is the very foundation of His actions toward us and our personal response toward Him.
Christmas is a time to remember that God shares his Heart Love with us, that we might
…know the heart of God
…experience the heart of God, and
…grow in the love of God.
There is truth in the saying, “Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.”
Song 114 (SASB)
"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful love, coming to me from Heaven above.
Filling me, thrilling me through and through. O it was wonderful love!"
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Star Seeking
Since we purchased a fibre-optic Christmas tree this year, it has been rather enjoyable to relax in the lounge room of an evening and simply watch the lights go through their routine. But I must confess that I am missing the star. I can handle doing away with the twisted tinsel, tangled lights and tiny decorative accessories, but I'm really missing the star.
The Scriptures record that the wise men followed the star in the east on their journey to encounter the King of Love. En route, they arrived in Jerusalem, met with King Herod and told him that they had observed the star and were on their way to worship the Child King. It was clear that the star signalled His birth and led them into His presence.
Christmas tree stars, then, are more than a mere decoration. They are a reminder that Jesus is the "Reason for the Season" and that we need to journey into His presence. They are a timely advent reminder that we 'come to worship Him'. I guess that's why stars are always found on top of Christmas trees ~ to remind us that we always need to look up to God and seek to worship Jesus, His 'gifted' Son.
Matthew 2:2b (NIV) ~ "We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
Oh, and by the way, I'm going to seek for a star tomorrow to hang on the window above the tree!
The Scriptures record that the wise men followed the star in the east on their journey to encounter the King of Love. En route, they arrived in Jerusalem, met with King Herod and told him that they had observed the star and were on their way to worship the Child King. It was clear that the star signalled His birth and led them into His presence.
Christmas tree stars, then, are more than a mere decoration. They are a reminder that Jesus is the "Reason for the Season" and that we need to journey into His presence. They are a timely advent reminder that we 'come to worship Him'. I guess that's why stars are always found on top of Christmas trees ~ to remind us that we always need to look up to God and seek to worship Jesus, His 'gifted' Son.
Matthew 2:2b (NIV) ~ "We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
Oh, and by the way, I'm going to seek for a star tomorrow to hang on the window above the tree!
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Politically-correct Christmas
Here's another composition by the famous author, Anonymous.
'Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa was a wreck.
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves".
"Vertically Challenged," they were calling themselves;
And labour conditions at the North Pole
Were alleged by the unions to stifle the soul.
The reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced by four pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The runners had all been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the EPA.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Smoke from his pipe had workers quite frightened.
His fur-trimmed suit was called, "unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolph was suing over use of his nose.
He had gone to the courts in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.
And as for the gifts, he'd never had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him, and nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim, nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls, or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific,
Nothing that's warlike, or non-pacifistic.
No candy or sweets - they were bad for the tooth
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
They raised the hackles of those psychological,
Who claimed the only good gift was ecological.
No cricket, no football, someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe.
Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, he tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every skin hue;
Everyone, everywhere - even you.
So here is that gift, it's priced beyond worth -
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."
'Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa was a wreck.
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves".
"Vertically Challenged," they were calling themselves;
And labour conditions at the North Pole
Were alleged by the unions to stifle the soul.
The reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced by four pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The runners had all been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the EPA.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Smoke from his pipe had workers quite frightened.
His fur-trimmed suit was called, "unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolph was suing over use of his nose.
He had gone to the courts in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.
And as for the gifts, he'd never had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him, and nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim, nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls, or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific,
Nothing that's warlike, or non-pacifistic.
No candy or sweets - they were bad for the tooth
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
They raised the hackles of those psychological,
Who claimed the only good gift was ecological.
No cricket, no football, someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe.
Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, he tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every skin hue;
Everyone, everywhere - even you.
So here is that gift, it's priced beyond worth -
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
How Ironic!
It's amazing and incredible just how ironic experiences in life can be! Take for instance, the recent Teddy Bear fiasco in Sudan. This is a good example of an irony based on common cultural experience. Naming the teddy bear "Mohammed" is no worse a situation than giving a child the same name. It happens everyday in Islamic countries, so why a fiasco when a group of young students decide to act on the societal norm and name their bear?
I admit that irony exists even in the Bible. Jesus Himself said that we must 'die to self' in order to 'truly live'. We die to our self, but in Christ we live eternally. The Christian life is always an irony: we pick up an instrument of death (the cross) and it brings us eternal life. We give up our lives but gain immortal reward. We sacrifice all, but receive everything
I'm so grateful to God that the hope of my own personal Christian faith is clear and plain. "Jesus loves me, this I know" ~ there is nothing ironic about that spiritual truth. It not only sounds reasonable and logical; it is a experiential constant, everyday of my life.
John 3:16 (MSG) ~ "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son."
I admit that irony exists even in the Bible. Jesus Himself said that we must 'die to self' in order to 'truly live'. We die to our self, but in Christ we live eternally. The Christian life is always an irony: we pick up an instrument of death (the cross) and it brings us eternal life. We give up our lives but gain immortal reward. We sacrifice all, but receive everything
I'm so grateful to God that the hope of my own personal Christian faith is clear and plain. "Jesus loves me, this I know" ~ there is nothing ironic about that spiritual truth. It not only sounds reasonable and logical; it is a experiential constant, everyday of my life.
John 3:16 (MSG) ~ "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son."
Christmas Symbols
While there are numerous types of decorative symbols on display that capture our mind's eye during this celebration season, consider these 'Christmas' symbols.
The first is a Cradle. There, in Bethlehem, were cradled the hopes and dreams of a dying world. Those chubby little hands that clasped the straw in His manger crib were soon to reach out open blind eyes, unstop deaf ears and still the troubled seas. That cooing voice was soon to teach men of the Way and challenge the status quo. Those tiny feet were to take Him to the sick and needy and were to be pierced on Calvary's cross. That manger crib in remote Bethlehem became the link that bound a lost world to a loving God.
Next, the Cross. There was joy with overtones of sadness on that first Christmas for, unknown to others, Jesus was born to die. Jesus, approaching the cross, said, To this end I was born and to this cause I came into the world. To Christians the joy of Christmas is not limited to His birth. It was His death and resurrection that gave meaning to His birth. It is in the cross that the world can find a solution to its pressing problems.
Finally, the Crown. Jesus, the King of Love, was born into completely humble surroundings. Yes, Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is coming back someday. He will come not as a babe in Bethlehem's manager. The next time He comes it will be in a blaze of glory and He will be crowned Lord of all.
Cradle ~ cross ~ crown - Let these symbols speak to you as you reflect this Advent on Christ's coming. Let the power of Him who came to us grip you again this Christmas.
Luke 2:12 (MSG) ~ "This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
The first is a Cradle. There, in Bethlehem, were cradled the hopes and dreams of a dying world. Those chubby little hands that clasped the straw in His manger crib were soon to reach out open blind eyes, unstop deaf ears and still the troubled seas. That cooing voice was soon to teach men of the Way and challenge the status quo. Those tiny feet were to take Him to the sick and needy and were to be pierced on Calvary's cross. That manger crib in remote Bethlehem became the link that bound a lost world to a loving God.
Next, the Cross. There was joy with overtones of sadness on that first Christmas for, unknown to others, Jesus was born to die. Jesus, approaching the cross, said, To this end I was born and to this cause I came into the world. To Christians the joy of Christmas is not limited to His birth. It was His death and resurrection that gave meaning to His birth. It is in the cross that the world can find a solution to its pressing problems.
Finally, the Crown. Jesus, the King of Love, was born into completely humble surroundings. Yes, Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is coming back someday. He will come not as a babe in Bethlehem's manager. The next time He comes it will be in a blaze of glory and He will be crowned Lord of all.
Cradle ~ cross ~ crown - Let these symbols speak to you as you reflect this Advent on Christ's coming. Let the power of Him who came to us grip you again this Christmas.
Luke 2:12 (MSG) ~ "This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
Monday, 3 December 2007
Melbourne Staff Band
Matthew 1:23 (CEV) ~ "A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us."
This morning's God-honouring worship led by the Melbourne Staff Band certainly reminded us of the Advent truth ~ "God with us". The band's executive officer, Major Len Turner, spoke candidly from God's Word, encouraging us to be constantly assured of God's omnipresence that purposes to draw us closer to His love, joy and peace.
"Here we come a-carolling among the leaves so green..." seems very applicable to describe the band's outreach to bring some real Christmas cheer to Inala's hostel and nursing home residents. The MSB's engaging music ministry was greatly appreciated by both residents and staff.
Our territory sure is blessed to have such a superb group of Christian musicians passionate about spreading the Good News of God's Love with their musical gifts. On a personal and reflcective note, we are each 'blessed beyond measure' when we claim the promises of God, not only for the past and future, but also for the present.
'Immanuel ~ God is with us', everyday.
This morning's God-honouring worship led by the Melbourne Staff Band certainly reminded us of the Advent truth ~ "God with us". The band's executive officer, Major Len Turner, spoke candidly from God's Word, encouraging us to be constantly assured of God's omnipresence that purposes to draw us closer to His love, joy and peace.
"Here we come a-carolling among the leaves so green..." seems very applicable to describe the band's outreach to bring some real Christmas cheer to Inala's hostel and nursing home residents. The MSB's engaging music ministry was greatly appreciated by both residents and staff.
Our territory sure is blessed to have such a superb group of Christian musicians passionate about spreading the Good News of God's Love with their musical gifts. On a personal and reflcective note, we are each 'blessed beyond measure' when we claim the promises of God, not only for the past and future, but also for the present.
'Immanuel ~ God is with us', everyday.
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