Minister’s December Message
Last Sunday, in church, we read from Isaiah chapter 9 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; They lived in a land of shadows but now light is shining on them….A child is born to us”. Isaiah’s words point to the birth of Jesus and evoke memories of Christmas. Just like primary and nursery schools at the moment, the Sunday Club left the church that day to start rehearsals for the Nativity Service on Sunday 17th December. The reading and all these nativity rehearsals reminded me about the little girl who got so excited about her part in her school nativity that her parents began to think that she was one of the main characters.
When her parents arrived at school to see the nativity, they saw the shepherds fidgeting in one corner of the stage and Mary and Joseph standing solemnly behind the manger. Three wise men were waiting impatiently and their little girl was just sitting on a seat in the background. The teacher began to tell the Christmas story and got to the point when Jesus was born and a bright star appeared over the stable. This was their daughter’s cue. She picked up a large tin-foil star walked behind Mary and Joseph and held the star up behind them for everyone to see. When the teacher spoke about the shepherds she shook the star up and down excitedly in front of them to show them where to go. When the teacher spoke about the wise men, she went to meet them and led the way. On their way home, after the nativity was over, the little girl, with great satisfaction, said to her parents, “I had the main part, because I showed everyone where to find Jesus!” That little girl’s words speak to the truth of our task as Jesus followers, not only at Christmas, but at all times.
There are many adverts on TV at the moment that seem to suggest that Christmas is about making grand and expensive gestures but Jesus teaches us that it is simply about how we live our lives, both individually and as a church together. Being the light that shows people where to find Him means simply choosing to live kind, caring and compassionate lives because of what we ourselves have come to know and love about Jesus.
Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born! [Josef Mohr1818]
Christmas Blessings,
Recommended Posts
Minister’s Message 1st March 2024
March 01, 2024
Jeanne’s Final Minister’s Message
September 25, 2023
Minister’s May 2021 Message
April 22, 2022