December 23 – Where is He?

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6

The air of the night is clear and sharp and resounding with the shouts of soldiers and the sound of gunfire. Throughout the day, and now on into the midnight hour, explosions can be heard, screams of pain, and running feet, as people flee for their lives. The acrid stench of fire is choking. Families huddle together in now derelict buildings, and somewhere in the town a young woman goes into childbirth. This is Nazareth, Christmas 2015. Ask them what they most want and they will tell you “peace and safety.”

Here in the West the two words we will hear most repeated at this time of year are “I want” as children and adults excitedly look forward to finding that special gift under the Christmas tree, only to find something entirely different when they open the parcel. What should have been a memorable family occasion to tell their children and grandchildren about, is then often marred by sullen silences or tantrums.

The circumstances and environment around the holidays make it all too easy for us to forget the true meaning of Christmas, and that of all people, it is Christians who should be full of joy and thanks at Christmas. Why? Because this is the celebration of our story, the fulfilment of “our want – what we need - how God moved dramatically to rescue His creation by sending Jesus to live, first as a baby, then as a growing boy, and then as a man. Christmas is good news. It is God's entrance into the world. God didn't stay in Heaven as a detached deity, he moved to become flesh. What a powerful story. Our Saviour, our guarantee of peace and safety.

It was God who gave the first Christmas gift. God so loved that he gave. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). On the first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift of all — he gave his Son. He gave his Son to die on the cross so we can have our past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. Jesus is the original Christmas gift. We only give because God gave to us first.

“We are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us” (MSG). Acts 15:11

Go back to the chapters in Isaiah and Matthew and Luke. Remember why we celebrate - meditate on the story. Remember its about love, about giving, about peace. Give back this Christmas. Is there a needy child or someone alone, a program at your church, a community center or OAP home that needs you're time and perhaps your money? Let us determine to show genuine, Holy-Spirit-led Christmas cheer.

Tonight, at midnight, in the towns and cities where we live, a young woman will give birth to a child – a gift from God – give birth with someone to care, in peace and safety.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

Music for this Christmas Eve is “Changed by a Baby Boy” - (LIVE)