Monthly Thought

December 2008

As we hit December and start the sprint towards Christmas, I am filled with dread. December?! How can it be December already?! It was September last time I looked! With Christmas looming large and my diary with no space for Christmas shopping the panic begins to set in. Nativity plays, Christmas carol concerts, and Christmas assemblies. Argh! Last year I worked myself up into a complete frenzy in the middle of it all that I did not own a Christmas tree. For Christmas to be a success, I needed a Christmas tree of course!

Well, needless to say, I didn't need a tree. I didn't need decorations. Or carol concerts, or nativity plays. I didn't even need presents.

The only thing we need as Christmas comes is time to hang out with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The further I get along in my Christian faith, the more I see Christmas for what it really is, but it's taken a while! Infinite, awesome, and all knowing God came to earth in a small human body, as a baby, born the lowest of the lows. God's big rescue plan for humanity - a tiny baby in a trough in a shed. His whole life and existence destined for the Cross.

So what do we do about it?
Take some time out.
Have a read of Luke 2.1-7.

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

Imagine this happening. Maybe look up Nazareth and Bethlehem on Google Maps. See how far they travelled.

Ask God to speak to you over December and show you more than the superficiality of Christmas. Praise God that His hand was over that little family, 2000 years ago.

And thank Him that His plan is bigger and better than we could ever have imagined.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
**God and sinners reconciled.**
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Amen.

If you want to chat about things please feel free to contact me via jennie@yorkcommunitychurch.co.uk

Jennie