Rev Mark Elder's Christmas 2004 Message

Why Christmas? I hope it's not such a daft question. What I mean is why did
the events of the story we all know and love take place in the way that they
did? It's an incredible story with major roles occupied by a pregnant
teenager and a rather confused carpenter (I think I would have been as
well!!). And then we have bit-parts with Shepherds seeing Angels and Wise
Men following stars. It's a great and dramatic story but why did it happen?

At our carol services we'll be exploring this very question. The
most famous verse in the bible helps us out. John 3:16 says "For God so
loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..". In other words, the
reason why Jesus left a very beautiful place and came to a pretty horrible
one is because his Father in heaven continues to be captivated by people
like you and me. I know, pretty incredible isn't it. The heart of the
Christmas story is not about a human celebration, enjoyable though that is,
but rather about the incredible and timeless love of God. The world needs
many things, but uppermost amongst them as I see it, is the simple and
transforming divine love, way beyond human love, that resulted in a
vulnerable and needy baby being born in Bethlehem.

My prayer for you is something that I also desire myself - that God's love
will touch your life this Christmas. So, let's bring it on...

Lots of love and prayers,

Mark

 

The Christmas Story

The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Why not check out these useful links?...

A BBC website feature  - Basic Christian beliefs

International Bible Society resource site.

On-line guidance to some of life's problems.