Preachers Note                                   8 December 2024

 

At this time of the year, the volume of Christmas music and
decorations in the stores, and the advertising of shiny new
things ramps up. There’s an air of expectancy around – there’s
joy around the corner. People at work can’t wait to go on
leave, sleep late, walk on the beach, and eat mounds of
food with friends and family.

For our Christmas Carols service this Sunday, we’re celebrating
this anticipation of joy. We’re reading Luke 2,
where the angels told the shepherds the good news of a
Saviour born, the shepherds went and saw for themselves,
and then went out, telling everyone they met.
We’ll read the familiar story, enjoy the Sunday School’s
interpretation, and sing the familiar songs.

But there’s also a tinge of sadness in our chosen Scripture.
The important people were busy with their own arrangements,
while the disregarded looked after their
sheep in the fields, and a tired and desperate husband
and his heavily pregnant wife, having been turned away
from everywhere, have taken shelter in a stable.

Perhaps this good news we’re celebrating is really deeper
than a holiday? The world is sad – there’s much selfishness,
unfairness and pain around. Yet we Christians have
this joy, despite. A Creator’s love while we’re undeserving,
grace despite the consequences of so many bad
decisions, joy beyond happiness while being showered
with the really precious things of our Lord’s provision.

Perhaps we should look for those themes, let them touch
our hearts again, sing for joy at our Lord’s touch, and
share a bit of that with the sad world around us that
needs it so?
Blessings,
Andrew.