ADVENT Week 2
Isaiah 42: 1-9 Matthew 1: 18 – 25.
Greggs’ Advent Calendar has offended a lot of Christians preparing for Christmas.
The Independent Newspaper wrote, “Greggs says sorry for replacing baby Jesus with a sausage roll in nativity scene for Christmas ad campaign” The stunt was apparently meant to be taken in a light-hearted way but numerous people pointed out that the ‘fresh take’ on the 2,000-year old scene could cause offence because Jesus was Jewish and eating pork is forbidden in the Jewish faith.” This picture should be in an art gallery.”
Apology accepted.
The world view looks at the Nativity with natural eyes, and can’t see the Biblical view.
John wrote, “They are of the world, therefore what they say is of the world and the world listens to them.” 1 John 4: 5
The world view of Christmas for many people means parties, food and presents. In preparing for Christmas the TV ad tells us a time for renewing the sofa or meeting up with family and friends and eat drink and be merry. Morrison’s ad the children are singing a carol and broke off not completing the word Beth— and in another carol broke off mid sentence avoiding singing certain words.
The media; like our local paper the ‘Free Press’ the front page news I find is always depressing, tragedy, sex and violence makes up the headline news. The TV soap story line is supposed to reflect what’s going on in society; there seem to be more gays than straight people.
Analysts say that this world view is across our society, ‘our collective experience’ it has become reality as people see it.
The media; TV news and most programmes give us world views and values and exclude the true meaning of Christmas.
Whereas, the Biblical view celebrates the birth of Jesus the coming of the Saviour of the world.
‘Facebook Nativity’ is making Jesus birth known in social media, sowing seeds of faith.
The world is still challenged by the good news of Jesus’ birth, Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the virgin birth has been fulfilled: – Mary conceived without her flesh being touched. It’s like when God heals the body without touching it.
Geff at the Job Club described the virgin birth like the a lemon being squeezed and someone standing near tasting the flavour in their mouth.
Godly man Joseph, in our reading when he found out that Mary was pregnant, he naturally didn’t believe that God was the father, His response indicates that he slipped back into the world view, he was going to break off their engagement.
God by grace gave Joseph a dream convinced him that God was the father and so his faith was strengthened.
By faith and grace Mary and Joseph saw the fulfilment of the coming of the Saviour into the world
Faith comes from God.
Faith is the things hoped for that are not yet seen. Faith is in action when a child sends a letter off to Santa with their gift request and they expect Santa to answer in getting what they have asked for.
The Bible says it’s by faith we accept Jesus, faith that is common to all, so that anyone can receive Jesus as their Saviour.
“ But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); 9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.” Romans 10: 8-10 RSV Bible
Why do we need to be saved?
The Bible tells us through the Old Testament prophets and Jesus that those who die outside of faith will be in a place of eternal torment and complete darkness separated from God. It’s like having a severe depression and feel that you are living in hell, only it will be worse. Malachi 4: 1. Matthew 24. 25: 46. Luke 16: 19-31. John 3: 36.
The Bible prophesies that there will be a new heaven and a new earth and for future generations as the planet suffers from pollution it will seem the inevitable it will happen the world dissolved by fire. Isaiah 65: 17: 2 Peter 3: 12, 13.
The hope we have entered into after receiving Jesus as Saviour and Lord, speaks for itself. One experience is worth a thousand arguments. The reality of making a decision to become a Christian 35 years ago has meant that I have been healed of illness and I have a strong faith built on personal blessings and seeing changes to people’s lives that have blessed them.
God’s purpose for us is to act on faith and grace.
When we share the good news about Jesus we expect God to act and ignite that person’s faith to become a believer in Jesus. God in most cases has already been preparing that person to receive the Lord’s saving words.
Two weeks ago a young man was sharing with me the change in his life after he went forward to be prayed for at Barry Woodward’s event in October, the Holy Spirit has revealed Jesus to him.
Ephesians 2: 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith: this is not your own doing it is the gift of God.” and Ephesians 3: 17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
God has created us to have this special ingredient in our makeup ‘Faith’ so faith is common in all humanity so that anyone can receive Jesus as their Saviour.
We remember we are partners with the Trinity: God is preparing people’s hearts to receive the word, the seeds of faith, sown on ‘Facebook Nativity’, Wayside Pulpits, Buses and from us and the Holy Spirit is acting upon the words.
Prayer
Almighty God and Father, thank you for Jesus, thank you for your love reaching out to save us from eternal death and darkness. May all those who respond in faith to the good news this Christmas be embraced into the family of God and find a sure hope in God.
In Jesus’ name. Amen