Archive Poster : December 2017
What a precious thing is a baby! The news that a little tiny human has safely made its way into the world is such a miracle, such a cause for celebration. Even when there is mourning or hardship, a new baby can bring hope.
On the first Christmas when baby Jesus arrived there was the usual joy and celebration. But there was so much more than that. Angels sang in the sky, shepherds dropped everything and came, wise men followed a star... all to honour and worship this new baby.
When God sent his son into the world, in the form of a baby boy, he did it for us. In John's gospel it says,
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
This is one of the most famous verses in the Bible, perhaps because it states so simply the most important things. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to help us. This is why Christmas is special! It's a time to celebrate the gift God gave to us long ago that shows how much he wants us to join his family. What we need to do is believe in Him.
There is a beautiful Christmas poem by Christina Rossetti that was put to music and became the carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter". It tells of the unlikely and difficult place where the baby Jesus was born, of angels singing praises to welcome the new King, and of shepherds visiting and bowing down and of wise men who travelled a great distance to honour him.
The author wonders what she could give to him as a tribute.
"What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give him,
Give my heart."
The Wise Men brought gifts fit for a King to honour the newborn Jesus, but there is nothing that we can give that is enough. All Jesus wants for Christmas is YOU!
Dear God, Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for the precious gift of your Son. Please forgive me and help me to worship and honour you all year long. Amen.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
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