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If I’ve got it right, today is what’s called the first Sunday in Advent in the Catholic, C of E and Episcopalian church calendars.
Advent? Awaiting the birth of Christ. Churches regard this as a happy anticipatory period. What of ourselves?
Let me start by taking you back 2000 years by quoting Luke 2: 1-7.
“And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, everyone into his own city … and Joseph went up from Galilee to …. Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) … with Mary his betrothed wife being great with child.”
The journey Luke is talking about is about 70 miles - from here to Howick. It skirts Sumeria all the way down into Judea and past Jerusalem. It’s December, and it’s cold. Now just imagine how it was for Mary. Probably she’d been somehow cross saddled on a donkey for up to a week. Mary must have been (a huge understatement) very uncomfortable - and tired. What’s more, when they finally arrived at the village of Bethlehem, she had to wait while Joseph - door to door - looked for accommodation that night. Nothing, except an animal shed. And it certainly would not have been well sheltered from the cold. Poor Mary. Then the waters broke. Luke laconically says 2:6 “and so it was the days were accomplished … and she brought forth her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.”
Now it’s commonly said a mother forgets all her recent travails once the baby is born. Those of you who have experienced or been present at a birth will agree. This must especially have been so in Mary’s case, as the angel had previously told her that her infant would be the child of God.
Now let’s move a mile or two away where “shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night … and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them …. I bring you good tidings of great joy … for unto you is born this day …. a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord …. and they came with haste and found Mary Joseph and the babe lying in a manger”. I am paraphrasing Luke 2:8 - 16).
Now let’s go to Mathew chap 2:1-2: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea … behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying “Where is He that is born King of the Jews for we have seen His star in the east, and we are come to worship Him… and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them … “
Let’s try and picture the situation: it’s cold remember, the more so because there’s not a cloud in the sky. And silent, as the three wise men - actually three kings from neighbouring countries - make their way towards Bethlehem. You remember the words of the hymn: “Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright”. Let me take you to Mathew 2:11: “And when they were coming to the house, they saw the young child and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh
The hymn you recall goes “Behold yon virgin mother and child holy infant so tender and mild sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.” Isn’t this a moving story? This is the way it was; this is the way it happened.
It was a significant birth - probably the most single significant birth in all of history. And the Bible’s accounts emphasise this. Christ’s birth is hailed by both the most lowly (shepherds) and the most august (kings). Additionally, the kings brought with them gifts appropriate to their position but also worthy of the eminence of the new-born king whose birth they were honouring. Fittingly, they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This child, this newborn king, is the one we honour today - now.
And these are the reasons for us honouring Him. So often we do not recall these reasons to mind: He came as the son of God (“the Father and I are one”) He was the mortal embodiment of the Creator - the Creator of all of our universe. This means we are at one and in harmony with the universe and universal law. What’s more, in all the universe, we are God’s most advanced creation. Look at what he has given us: perfect bodies which walk upright, not on all fours, let alone, crawl along the ground. And good health, nearly all of the time. And clear minds which enable us to make our way through life, mostly successfully and contentedly. Above all: talking of minds, the ability to love “Love one another” He commands us “as I have loved you”. A far lesser figure, Chris de Burgh, sang the other evening: “Only love can light the mirror of the soul.” Then Christ said so many other soft things. Just listen to the words.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven/ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted/ Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”. These are words of consolation and assurance, given by the Son of the Father, Creator of the universe. We know we can relax in the arms of Almighty God. Listen again:
“Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled/ blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh/ …. rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven … ye are the salt of the earth.” [I’m quoting from the SOTM and the Beatitudes.]
He didn’t only bring words of comfort and consolation when he preached, he also brought us words of hope, even aspiration:
“Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you; everyone that asketh, receiveth, and he that seeketh, findeth, he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Beyond His preaching, which no longer binds us to the strictures of the OT such as the likes of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth - and I am a jealous god” beyond His teaching He proved his divinity - his oneness - with the Father by performing miracles - 47 of them. 40 are recorded in the canonical Gospels (You may remember many of these.) including the 3 persons which He rose from the dead. What’s more, there are a further 7 from non-canonical but documented, contemporary sources.
But the ultimate miracle of course- was His own resurrection after Calvary, followed by His return over 40 days to visit and comfort His family and followers. Most significantly, from the point of view of spreading His teachings, was that during this time He selected Paul of Tarsus to spread the Word from east to west across the Mediterranean including Rome.
Jesus Christ is the man, Son of the Father, we’re honouring, and, like the three kings and the shepherds, worshipping at this time of Advent. Not only because He assures us that He loves us, and forgives our shortcomings, but because He shows us the way to heal our bodies, quieten our fears, adjust our lives to harmony and full attainment. All these, and we’re safe in the arms of Jesus, if we but believe in His promises.
This is our Saviour, whose birth we’ll be celebrating in just under 4 weeks time. This is the Christmas spirit. These are the things we should keep in mind ‘til then and gratefully recall, especially on Christmas Day, when the angel said to the shepherds 2000 years ago “I bring you tidings of great joy.” The shepherds and the kings honoured Him that night 2000 years ago. So should we, and give thanks.
Advent? Awaiting the birth of Christ. Churches regard this as a happy anticipatory period. What of ourselves?
Let me start by taking you back 2000 years by quoting Luke 2: 1-7.
“And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, everyone into his own city … and Joseph went up from Galilee to …. Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) … with Mary his betrothed wife being great with child.”
The journey Luke is talking about is about 70 miles - from here to Howick. It skirts Sumeria all the way down into Judea and past Jerusalem. It’s December, and it’s cold. Now just imagine how it was for Mary. Probably she’d been somehow cross saddled on a donkey for up to a week. Mary must have been (a huge understatement) very uncomfortable - and tired. What’s more, when they finally arrived at the village of Bethlehem, she had to wait while Joseph - door to door - looked for accommodation that night. Nothing, except an animal shed. And it certainly would not have been well sheltered from the cold. Poor Mary. Then the waters broke. Luke laconically says 2:6 “and so it was the days were accomplished … and she brought forth her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.”
Now it’s commonly said a mother forgets all her recent travails once the baby is born. Those of you who have experienced or been present at a birth will agree. This must especially have been so in Mary’s case, as the angel had previously told her that her infant would be the child of God.
Now let’s move a mile or two away where “shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night … and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them …. I bring you good tidings of great joy … for unto you is born this day …. a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord …. and they came with haste and found Mary Joseph and the babe lying in a manger”. I am paraphrasing Luke 2:8 - 16).
Now let’s go to Mathew chap 2:1-2: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea … behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying “Where is He that is born King of the Jews for we have seen His star in the east, and we are come to worship Him… and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them … “
Let’s try and picture the situation: it’s cold remember, the more so because there’s not a cloud in the sky. And silent, as the three wise men - actually three kings from neighbouring countries - make their way towards Bethlehem. You remember the words of the hymn: “Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright”. Let me take you to Mathew 2:11: “And when they were coming to the house, they saw the young child and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh
The hymn you recall goes “Behold yon virgin mother and child holy infant so tender and mild sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.” Isn’t this a moving story? This is the way it was; this is the way it happened.
It was a significant birth - probably the most single significant birth in all of history. And the Bible’s accounts emphasise this. Christ’s birth is hailed by both the most lowly (shepherds) and the most august (kings). Additionally, the kings brought with them gifts appropriate to their position but also worthy of the eminence of the new-born king whose birth they were honouring. Fittingly, they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This child, this newborn king, is the one we honour today - now.
And these are the reasons for us honouring Him. So often we do not recall these reasons to mind: He came as the son of God (“the Father and I are one”) He was the mortal embodiment of the Creator - the Creator of all of our universe. This means we are at one and in harmony with the universe and universal law. What’s more, in all the universe, we are God’s most advanced creation. Look at what he has given us: perfect bodies which walk upright, not on all fours, let alone, crawl along the ground. And good health, nearly all of the time. And clear minds which enable us to make our way through life, mostly successfully and contentedly. Above all: talking of minds, the ability to love “Love one another” He commands us “as I have loved you”. A far lesser figure, Chris de Burgh, sang the other evening: “Only love can light the mirror of the soul.” Then Christ said so many other soft things. Just listen to the words.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven/ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted/ Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”. These are words of consolation and assurance, given by the Son of the Father, Creator of the universe. We know we can relax in the arms of Almighty God. Listen again:
“Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled/ blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh/ …. rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven … ye are the salt of the earth.” [I’m quoting from the SOTM and the Beatitudes.]
He didn’t only bring words of comfort and consolation when he preached, he also brought us words of hope, even aspiration:
“Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you; everyone that asketh, receiveth, and he that seeketh, findeth, he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Beyond His preaching, which no longer binds us to the strictures of the OT such as the likes of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth - and I am a jealous god” beyond His teaching He proved his divinity - his oneness - with the Father by performing miracles - 47 of them. 40 are recorded in the canonical Gospels (You may remember many of these.) including the 3 persons which He rose from the dead. What’s more, there are a further 7 from non-canonical but documented, contemporary sources.
But the ultimate miracle of course- was His own resurrection after Calvary, followed by His return over 40 days to visit and comfort His family and followers. Most significantly, from the point of view of spreading His teachings, was that during this time He selected Paul of Tarsus to spread the Word from east to west across the Mediterranean including Rome.
Jesus Christ is the man, Son of the Father, we’re honouring, and, like the three kings and the shepherds, worshipping at this time of Advent. Not only because He assures us that He loves us, and forgives our shortcomings, but because He shows us the way to heal our bodies, quieten our fears, adjust our lives to harmony and full attainment. All these, and we’re safe in the arms of Jesus, if we but believe in His promises.
This is our Saviour, whose birth we’ll be celebrating in just under 4 weeks time. This is the Christmas spirit. These are the things we should keep in mind ‘til then and gratefully recall, especially on Christmas Day, when the angel said to the shepherds 2000 years ago “I bring you tidings of great joy.” The shepherds and the kings honoured Him that night 2000 years ago. So should we, and give thanks.
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