| The Promise of Christmas |
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Jeff Lucas makes his annual pilgrimage up into the loft to locate the Christmas decorations. What he finds causes him to consider the true meaning of Christmas. Like my decorations, our lives can feel broken. Can we be fixed? The great news is that the Christmas message is about a God who offers us, not a patch-up for our lives, but a brand new beginning. Christmas is the story of a God who has come to rescue – to heal the broken, even as He was broken Himself. Two thousand years ago, a baby was born to poor parents in the squalor of a stable. His name was Jesus, and he came to earth without much fanfare or fuss, welcomed by a few night workers and travelling mystics. And yet angels threw a birthday party for him, for this was a child like no other. Jesus grew up, began his ministry of teaching and miracles, and immediately started making some stunning claims. He said he came for the broken and weary. He invited people to live a new life, one under his instruction. Jesus offered far more than a set of principles for living, but promised to always be with those who were his apprentices. He would help them, empower them, be alongside them every step of the way. He repeatedly talked about ‘the kingdom of God’ - it was his main theme. A kingdom is a place where a king or queen reigns. Jesus, the greatest king there has ever been, was inviting everyone to submit the whole of their lives to his loving authority. They would have a new purpose for life. Their ambition would be to see his kingdom – his rule – widen, so that injustice and oppression in the earth would be eradicated, as more and more discovered the true light of life: Jesus. Jesus promised a lot to those who followed him. They weren’t assured an easy ride, but their past would be forgiven. Their present would sparkle with significance. Their future would be assured – with Jesus for eternity, and not because they were good enough to earn heaven, but because of the new life that Jesus offered them. And then, having set out his manifesto on how to live and die, Jesus went to the cross, and there he dealt with every barrier that could prevent us from experiencing a close-up relationship with God that is for here and eternity. Broken on the cross, he died, and some thought that it was all over. But it was just the beginning. Three days later he came to life again: he overcame the most shattering experience that humans ever face – death itself. And now the living Christ invites us to become his followers. He calls us to become part of the family that is the Church. He offers us clarity and direction through the book that he has inspired: the Bible. He extends his hand to us, inviting us to share our lives with him daily: thus prayer is simply an ongoing conversation with God. Whatever your experience you can use the following prayer. This will help either to begin, or reaffirm your choice to make Jesus the centre of your life. Prayer Jesus, I offer you this simple prayer. I bring my whole life – my successes, my failures, my strengths and my brokenness – to you. Forgive me my past. Walk with me today, and lead me into the future. Teach me how to live for you, and with you. I make you my priority, my purpose, my confidence, my defender, my guide, my Lord, and my God. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen. |
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