_._._._._._.mas? What do you think is missing?

Image taken from: http://the3inone.wordpress.com

I wonder if you’ve already guessed what’s missing from the title of this blog. I know it’s not really that difficult. At this time of year when everyone is celebrating and looking forward to time off work and spending that time with family and friends, I doubt it would take anyone long to work out what the words is and the letters that are missing. However, there is a fundamental problem that we want to highlight. Amongst the tinsel, the frantic shopping, the presents, the parties, and the stress, have we forgotten what this season is really all about? I realize that December was not the time when Christ was born in Bethlehem, but it is the time when we are supposed to think about that tremendous event. Do we? What thought have you given to the Christian message of “a Saviour which is Christ the Lord”?

As that short quote from Luke’s Gospel reminds us, the person who was born in Bethlehem was important, even unique. Even the sceptic or atheist has to accept that “Jesus came into the world”. There is historical evidence to confirm it. For them, the difficulty arises with the Biblical record that the baby Jesus was none other than “Christ the Lord” – the Son of God. If Christmas was about the birth of just another baby, it would be nothing special or significant. However, it is not about just another birth, but about the birth of the Son of God by the virgin Mary – a miraculous event! That’s something worth remembering and celebrating. The Son of God has become man!

But that begs the question “why?” The Bible provides the answer: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. God sent His Son, and Jesus Christ came, that we, you and I, might be forgiven, cleansed, and brought back to God. Each of us has a problem called sin – simple disobedience, a rejection of God’s Law and standards. That problem of sin keeps us at a distance from God and could separate us from Him eternally. The Lord Jesus came, born in Bethlehem, lived amongst men, and died upon a Roman cross at Calvary, a place outside of the city of Jerusalem, to save us from the penalty of our sin.

Our prayer is that this Christmas you might pause and think about the real significance of this time of year. Amidst all the family, friends, and food, we hope that you might spare a thought for the Son of God who came to save you and I, to give His life that we might be forgiven. That was God’s gift to men and women like us. Are you prepared to accept it?

Storms

Picture taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25253080

Sitting in my office I could hear the strong winds buffeting the building and making things rattle outside. It was not a pleasant experience but it was nothing compared with what some people have suffered in recent days. Storms have pounded Scotland and parts of northern England and surge tides are about to bring flooding to parts of the east coast. These are not happy days for some who will be worried as they survey the damage to their properties and wonder how it will be paid for, or whether there is the likelihood of more.

 

Of one thing I am sure. I am grateful that I was not out upon the sea in any part of that storm that hit our coast. The news programmes indicated the number of people who had been rescued from inland properties as the floods hit, but what of those at sea?

 

I thought of an occasion that the Bible records. Some experienced fishermen were working on the sea when, without warning, a ferocious storm arose. With every sinew of their bodies they fought to stay afloat as the wind blew and the waves pounded into the boat. They were in real fear for their lives. Fortunately for them there was one person in the boat who could provide a solution to their panic and fear. That person was Jesus Christ. As one said on another occasion, “Lord, save me”, he found in Jesus Christ One who was willing and able to save.

 

One of the benefits that we have living in the 21^st Century is adequate warning of dangers. The Environment Agency issues colour coded alerts to warn us of the dangers – storms, snow, flooding. We can make preparation, just in case the worst happens. The Bible issues a warning as to the dire consequences that await those who reject Jesus Christ and His message of salvation. What should we do to escape God’s judgement upon our sin and disobedience? We need to cry, like Peter the apostle, “Lord, save me”. I imagine some people smiled when the latest warning were issued. “Storms? We’ve heard that before, and it never happened!”