Christmas headlines
Hope you’re all set for Christmas! Gifts wrapped, food prepped, drinks chilled, games planned and music playlist ready to go.
I sometimes wonder what headlines would be made of the birth of Jesus if it happened today…
‘Pregnant teen claims divine conception’
‘Baby born surrounded by animals survives’
‘Angelic visitation stuns local Shepherds’
‘Persian astrologers travel great distant to see special baby’
This story is known all over the world and during December, schools, churches and local communities have been re-enacting and singing about it.
I think we can lose the wonder of this incredible story as other Christmas paraphernalia can sometimes be quite overwhelming.
It’s like a Christmas card that has the Nativity stable in the snow, with a Robin, Father Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in it!
When Jesus was born, God sent a whole company of Angels to announce the birth. They did not go to royalty, presidents, prime ministers or even celebrities.
Instead they chose shepherds, the social nobodies of their day, revealing the very heart of God – Jesus is for everyone! I suggest it’s personal too, this is what the Angels said…
“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
However you are spending Christmas this year, the heart of the message is clear, simple and inclusive: the birth of Jesus was for you.
Merry Christmas and God bless!
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader