Thought forcWednedday, 2 November 2022

   Luke 2: 4-6 

       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

Christmas means that… 

He descended that we might ascend (John 14:3) He was born that we might be born again (John 3:3)He became a servant that we might become sons (Galatians 4:6-7) He was forsaken that we might not be forsaken (Matthew 28:20) He died that we might live (John 5:24) He came down that we might be caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)                                        (Brian Bill) 

A friend came to visit today and wanted me to go out for some shopping. I also bought some presents for the family, which got me thinking about the very first ‘Christmas present’ given to us by God. 

God sent His Son into the world so that we would want for nothing spiritually. Before Jesus the Jews were not as faithful to God as they should have been, and the religious leaders were more interested in their own ideas of how God should be worshipped. Making things so hard for the ordinary person to have a relationship with God probably making the worship of other gods seem like an easier option for them. 

However, we know God and who He is and how we are to worship Him. We can know God better through His Son, the greatest Christmas present of all. I don’t think God sent Jesus as a hint for us to be spending so much money on Christmas presents and all the hubbub that goes with this time of year.  

I am sure God, and His Son would be happy if people just went to a worship service to give thanks for the birth of a Saviour, who came to ensure our salvation and a chance to gain eternal life. All we need to do is grasp that chance, accept the invitation handed to us from the cross and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the tomb. 

Unfortunately not everyone knows the meaning of Christmas when a television interviewer was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in Britain, Christmas shopping is a big deal in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?" 

Laughing, she responded, "I don’t know. Is that the day that Jesus died?" 

I’m glad we know better than that. Spread the Good News of Jesus’ birthday everywhere you go. 

Prayer 

Loving Saviour, help us to show the world how to celebrate Your birth in the way that would please You. Let us realise it’s not how much we spend but how much we care for each other that matters most. People think that we should show our love by the amount we spend rather than the amount of love we show. Please Lord Jesus watch over those who don’t know what a Christmas present is, not even the first Present sent from heaven, Amen. 

Blessings