Jesus Offers the Best

(1) When the wine runs out (v.1-5)

Such a wedding in Palestine would have been a celebration open to the whole local community. And possibly the situation of the wine running out was as a result of more people attending than were expected. In any case this was a hospitality catastrophe of the highest order (involving social disgrace for the hosts – the bridegroom’s parents), and the word had spread as far across the guest list as Jesus’ mother – and then was quickly referred to Jesus.

Now when Raelene says to me that we’re out of bread, this is not simply a statement of fact. There is an implication here – that I would respond to this need by doing something about it (in this case, going to the shop and buying some bread). Mary had already experienced that Jesus was a special young man, and although she may not have predicted the outcome that followed, she would have thought that Jesus could have come up with some sort of solution to this problem.

Jesus’ response (v.4) is in some way understandable – Woman, what concern is that
to you and to me? My hour has not yet come – it’s not a guest’s responsibility to worry about what the hosts should have taken care of, however is also a little
curious considering what was at stake in terms of embarrassment. Was it that Jesus just couldn’t be bothered – a bit like me sometimes when we’ve run out of bread! Was it indeed that Jesus thought that this was someone else’s problem or responsibility, or just none of his business?

It wasn’t really either of these – the answer is tied up with this second phrase – My hour has not yet come. Jesus would not be using his special power ‘willy-nilly’ at everyone’s beck-and-call – it was a matter of whether this was an appropriate occasion for Jesus to act – whether this was the time for Jesus to be revealing
himself as ‘God in the flesh’ – would this be in accord with God’s purposes!

Jesus wanted to avoid the sort of notoriety that may have prematurely destroyed his mission (like when he asked people to remain quiet about their healing). The power Jesus had over nature, was not for novelty, but was for offering “signs” of a new era (and the breaking in of a new way of living).

[There are different terms used by the gospel writers to describe the ‘new way of living’ that Jesus inaugurates and promotes. This is the type of living that sets followers of Jesus apart from others who lack the light of Jesus in their lives. Mark and then Luke use the term “Kingdom of God”; Matthew, being more careful with
the use of the name of God with his Jewish audience, uses “Kingdom of Heaven”. In each case these terms mean an “alternative cultural basis” for living than generally operates in the world (Sine) – the “Kingdom of God” is the spiritual realm where God is honoured and sought after.

John uses a different expression … “eternal life”; and as we shall see later in John’s gospel, this term does not just refer to life in the hereafter, but also to the quality and integrity of life in the salvation experience of the here and now!]

Culturally, Jesus using the address “woman” would not be as rude as we might think, however it was still a somewhat unusual way of addressing his mother. The implication of this is that Jesus would not even be responding as he did because his mother asked him, but rather for far more significant reasons. This, Jesus’ mother seems to concede, as she defers to whatever action Jesus may (or may not) take!

(2) When the water becomes wine (v.6-10)

Over to the side were “six [large] stone water jars” which were used for the ritual washing of hands at meals. {They had probably been used earlier and the water then tipped out.} Jesus said to the servants to fill them with water, and when they had completed this, they were further asked to take a sample to the “chief steward” –
the ‘wedding planner’. By the time this “chief steward” looked at, smelt, and tasted this liquid, it had become wine, and not just your average wine (that you’d send out when people were in such a state not to notice), but the very best imaginable.

Jesus’ actions certainly saved the hosts from extreme embarrassment, the bride and groom from a life-long stigma, and the ‘wedding planner’ from never working one of these events again. However, what was really the point of all this?

(3) A “sign” to promote belief (v.11)

This act is described as a “sign” (v.11) – and a “sign” is something that points to a greater reality – of deep significance. This turning of water into wine was a “sign” that, in Jesus, God was now present in the flesh – to turn the direction of world events, to make God known, to call people into a relationship as children of God; in a ‘nut-shell’ – to elicit “belief”!

[There were ancient Mediterranean legends concerning the miraculous production of wine by ‘gods’ or religious figures – but who would be able to interpret this particular act as a real “sign” of the Creator God’s actual presence?]

“Belief” in John’s Gospel, is the sort of active faith that transforms lives and communities … just as dramatically as water becoming wine! Such a “sign” is not only to encourage “belief” for the first time, but also to sustain and expand “belief” in God over time. “Belief” is indeed something that can grow and develop in strength over time. We read in verse 11 that Jesus’ disciples, who had obviously already had an experience of belief and trust in Jesus, came to believe in him even more!

Sometimes such “signs” will be obvious; other times we will have to be discerning and look out for them. But God is active around us, and will give us sufficient
“signs” of His presence to build up our faith.

The people of Jesus’ time and the readers of John’s Gospel could clearly understand the meaning of such a “sign” as this. This “sign” would explain to them the message of John 1:17 – The law … was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The religion followed by the Jews had become stagnant, legalistic, exclusive & depersonalised. People needed a new option that would truly lead them toward God’s heart. And so simple water was transformed into vintage wine! Something new and better was happening!! With Jesus, the quality is the best, and the quantity is as much as we could possibly need.

As John’s Gospel unfolds, we discover that the Jesus movement (that comes to be known as Christianity), rather than being stagnant, legalistic, exclusive & impersonal, is hopeful, compassionate, all-encompassing & personally liberating.

Why it is Wrong to Pray for a Parking Spot!

Whereas I wouldn't say that it is sinful per say to pray for a parking spot, because, let me assure you, God is indeed interested in all details of our life; I do however want to say that it presents a very inappropriate view of our faith to be praying for a parking spot (real emergencies exempted). Usually praying for a parking spot originates in not allowing enough time, and expecting God to bail you out, or placing far too high an importance on the need for this parking spot ie. shopping for pleasure. This sits very crudely in the face of the great need in the world for real acts of a compassionate God - rain on the dry land, healing from cancer, alleviation of poverty, comfort for the grieving, etc. You might say that God can handle all these "big" issues according to His will and timing, and your parking spot as well, and that my God is too small! What about the fact that your desire for a parking spot is going to be at the expense of someone else's parking spot - and yes, God loves this person (and seeks their best interests) just as much as you; and of course they may need the parking spot a whole lot more than you do! Ah, you say, but I was the one praying. Well, aren't you lucky that you have discovered the gift of prayer, when so many have not had that wonderful opportunity to learn about and experience prayer in these post-Christendom times. To ignore these realities is to propose an individualistic and selfish side that does not tally with the teaching of Jesus. It almost proposes a poly-theistic religion with a god for each person (made in their own image). This underlying philosophy afterall leads to the fights over car spaces (often witnessed blasphemously at Christmas time). Jesus calls us to consider the needs of others at the very least alongside our own, and if we follow the servant example of Jesus, we'll be giving away our parking spots to others (who may just need them more) - what a different view of justice and our personal rights this brings! We may even pray that others will find their parking spot - and see if this clears the car park for us!

Being wise about Christmas

The so-called “wise men” from the East (who may have been astrologers with interests in prophecy, dreams and nature), knew that something important had occurred and they wanted to be a part of it. They certainly didn’t want their lives to pass by having missed such a wonderful opportunity to encounter the birth of the Messiah. So they first travelled to Jerusalem – seeking more specific information, and having being directed there, moved on further to Bethlehem. When they found baby Jesus with his mother and father, they were overwhelmed with joy – for they had not journeyed so far in vain. These “wise men” had felt the need to discover the truth, had taken the steps necessary to experience Divine guidance on their journey, with the result of entering one of the most blessed scenes in history – the coming of the Son of God into the world. All history had now turned – people would actually be able experience what God was like by studying the life of Jesus. And in time there would be such an outpouring of grace, that people could actually be reunited with God and
enjoy an uninhibited relationship with their Divine Creator Parent. An angel had already told Joseph, that this child, conceived by the Holy Spirit, should be named Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins".

I sense that these “wise men” appreciated at least some of this significance as they worshipped the child, opened their treasure chests, and offered Jesus the best that they had to offer. Also these gifts were significant in what they represented: “gold” suggesting the presence of royalty; “frankincense” representing the priestly role of sacrifice; “myrrh” speaking of preparation for burial. These men were also discerning enough not to return to the jealous and murderous Herod, but return to their own country, no doubt with spirits lifted high; this being perhaps the reason why they have been described as “wise” men. One could imagine these “wise men” talking about this marvellous nativity scene all the way home. I wonder if this foremost meaning of Christmas for Jesus-followers will be the most talked about event today in our homes. Will we embrace Jesus as much as these “wise men” did? Or might we become too distracted?

I imagine the “wise men” might have been asked, “Why do you want to take this foolish and dangerous trip? Why are you going to all this trouble? Why risk Herod’s wrath by wanting to pay homage to a rival king?” “Why!” the wise men must have replied, “because we have heard news of great hope, we have seen signs in the sky; and we have felt a stirring in our souls.” Each Christmas offers us the opportunity of experiencing and worshipping Jesus in a fresh and exuberant way. We can again acknowledge our need, accept that we can’t go it alone, and open ourselves to receive God’s offer through Jesus – of grace and forgiveness and leadership in our daily life. We will then grow in exhibiting a willingness to worship and follow Jesus at all times and in all places.

God in the Flesh

(1) God’s Incarnation

In the beginning was the “Logos” – the Greek word translated “Word”.

To the Jews “Logos” would mean … ‘the self communication of God’ or ‘God revealing Himself’. To the Greeks “Logos” would mean … ‘the rational principle behind all reality’.

So, the gospel of John begins, placing Jesus at the centre of all spirituality and all life. This, the fourth of the biblical gospels to be written, broadens Jesus origins even beyond being born of the Holy Spirit, to having an equal role with God in the creation of the world.

As Genesis begins: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth…, so John begins telling us that, in that same beginning, Jesus ‘The Word’ partnered with God in all creation.

Within the awesome mystery of the Trinity, we have Jesus being “with God”, thus being a distinct and separate entity – sharing fellowship (or community) with God; whilst still being in essence God (“the Word was God”) – part of a unified whole, sharing the same nature and purpose.

Whilst this is difficult to get your head around, it provides an exciting and wonderful picture of perfectly functioning relationship, each Divine role being exercised in an entirely complimentary way. God in Three Persons – Father, Son & Holy Spirit – blessed Trinity, superbly modeling what true community should look like.

This view of a unified God in three persons also helps us to understand how it is that God could visit earth as he did some 2000 years ago, and through Jesus demonstrate His commitment to humanity and the sort of loving intimate relationship that indeed God desired to have with all people. The Son’s role within the Divine purpose was to redeem humanity back to God.

[The analogy given last week was that this process of redemption was like God going to “Cash Converters” to use the currency of Jesus to buy back what we had sold off. People, who go to places like “Cash Converters” are often selling things they actually want or need, but have to do so to try and get themselves out of financial trouble. In life, we might have got rid of those things that are most important (even our very souls) whilst chasing after things of seeming importance, but of little real value. We get to that point where we just can’t find a way to successfully return to “Cash Converters” to get back what we’d given away; thus Jesus does this for us, gets back our lives for us, buying us, at his expense, our freedom.] This would take a sacrifice that only God could provide – a sinless death on the cross.

And so, the “Logos” (the “Word”) entered into a new dimension of existence through the gateway of human birth, and took up residence amongst the human community of Palestine. From here Jesus could teach, minister and heal with unparalleled integrity, at the same time identifying with the human dilemmas of temptation, rejection, grief, isolation, pain and mortality … yet overcoming these things through the strength of his relationship with God.

I sure want to know this Jesus personally! For Jesus can not only save me from my destructive side, but also guide me onto the path of doing God’s will.

Verse 18 teaches us that if we want to know God, if we want to understand the heart of God – then we have only to look to Jesus. Jesus is a window through which to view God at work!

"Because Jesus participated fully in the two natures – human and divine, he was able to make God fully known and also to be perfectly the way to Him" (Smalley, 212).

God came to humanity, so that humanity could come back to God. God entered into the depths of our life, sounding the invitation for us to enter into the heights of God's life.

There’s even more to it than this! God has reached out to us through becoming one of us, at the same time demonstrating how he wants us to reach out to others. This act of sacrificial incarnation is an example of the sort of love God wants us to express to those around us. God did not remain aloof or standoffish from us, despite how we might have disappointed Him … God sought to connect with us. In the same way, God asks us to seek to connect with others, becoming a stepping stone to their new experience of faith.

(2) Our Incarnation

We, as members of the Kingdom of God, and God’s local congregation, should be about the business of changing lives and changing communities (obviously for the better)! We don’t have to become ‘super-spiritual’ or ‘super-together’ to do this; the good news is that we can participate in this mission by being ourselves, with just one added imperative – 'redemptive intent'!

It’s good to make friends with people, but that’s not the end, just the beginning.
We are seeking to lead them somewhere. And, not to our favourite soap-box agenda – but to Jesus – which does require of us to be (at the very least) growing in our knowledge of and relationship with … the one we are following, and seeking to lead other people toward.

Of course, this is not a secretive mission, we should be upfront about our faith and our allegiance, and then live it out. To have a ‘redemptive intent’ is to make connections with people in such a way as to eventually save them from whatever separates them from (their loving creator) God.

However success is going to depend on forming a foundation for relationship through honesty, vulnerability, trust, fun & laughter, sharing pain, and exploring and learning together.

As part of my work toward my ‘Masters’, I’ve studied “The Shaping of Things to Come” by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. They write that the truly ‘missional’ church … "disassembles itself and seeps into the cracks and crevices of a society in order to be Christ to those who don’t yet know him" (12).

This explanation of being “incarnational”, or following the example of Jesus,
certainly makes clear the need to be moving out from comfort zones and outside of institutional buildings to connect with people in their own settings. In this way people may be able to "experience Jesus inside of their [own] culture and in a way
that is seamlessly connected with life" (41). This is a dynamic ‘infiltration’ into
the ‘cut and thrust’ of community life (42).

The clear purpose of such engagement is the living out of the life of Jesus in such a way as to creditably present an alternative life-orientation. The question could be asked, as to whether I imagine myself (albeit imperfectly) as (being) Jesus, when I’m with people!

It is very challenging to see some of the lengths that some committed Jesus-followers have gone to – in practically expressing their love for people. However, one should not be deterred by this, rather accept that each Spirit-indwelt person can be incarnated at the point of their own uniqueness. Not everyone can connect well with the homeless person on the street, but most should be able to relate effectively with their next-door neighbour based on their common neighbourhood interest.

When a collection of intentional encounters and sets of relationships – through which the gospel can travel – does begin occurring in the streets, community facilities, schools and shopping centres, the social fabric of the community will be enhanced and newly ‘flavoured’ [or, ‘salted’] (42).

As people simply make themselves available to share the journey of life with others, the potential of everyday conversations is released toward a ‘whispering into souls’ and the nurture of new faith.

In the Fullness of Time

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit
of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba Father’." (Galatians 4:4-6)

Isn’t this a marvelous couple of verses to describe the gospel and the relevance of
the coming of Jesus!

(1) Why did Jesus have to come?

a. Paul reminds us in Galatians 4, that when the time was right, God sent Jesus to inhabit the earth. This Jesus – “Son of God” – was both fully God – the second person of the ‘Trinity’, and fully human – “born of a woman”. In saying “born under the law”, Paul was referring to Jesus being born into the world in a specific time, culture, and religious & political atmosphere. We read here also of the particular purpose of Jesus’ incarnation – to re-unite us with our loving creator parent.

From the earliest beginnings of the Hebrew nation, the people had been given a moral and ethical code under which to live – referred to here by Paul as the “law”. The purpose of the “law” was to keep humanity on the straight and narrow until ‘the fullness of time’ and the appearance of the Christ. Whereas the sacrificial system attached to the “law” provided a way to express regret for sin and gain ‘atonement’, this “law” could never be described as life-changing. And if ever the people of God were really going to be the people they were created to be, and truly experience the depth of God’s love, something else was going to have to fulfill and supercede this “law”.

In itself this “law” was powerless to make any real difference in a person’s life.
You just obeyed it, or not. You either felt vindicated through obedience, or (given
an active conscience) guilty through rebellion. A person could try harder to obey,
but given this was dependent upon their own mortal efforts, it was a never-ending battle. So, this was an arrangement based on fear and works, not a relationship of commitment and love. There needed to be an avenue of personal inward change, based not on effort but rather on a gift of grace – the unmerited favour of God; where a desire for forgiveness would truly lead to a reformed life.

Such a reformed life would lead to healthier attitudes to the needs of others. When challenged by God’s prophets concerning a better response towards poverty and injustice, ‘the people of the law’ (of Old Testament times) generally refused to listen; and as a result, their society degenerated.

We perhaps could sense this from our own experience in life. Since our first acknowledgement of a “fall” from God’s best, it became very hard to actually make any spiritual, moral or ethical advancements … in our own strength. We found life just too complicated, too problematical, and too easily fell into some sort of survival mode … just as long as we can access forgiveness when we need it. What we actually needed was a Saviour – someone to rescue us from this battle within ourselves!

[Some Old Testament characters, through a committed closeness to God, made significant impact at certain times, but very few excelled consistently.]

God is interested in far more than survival mode. For we were created “very good”, and we have been called to make a positive difference as “salt and light” in the world. How are we going to reach this great God-given potential God? The “law” was never going to do it – we needed a personal experience of the Divine Triune God.

Human beings need to be able to identify with a person, not a set of rules. Each
person needs to be in receipt of the sort of grace which will carry them beyond all
the human limitations that had previously entrapped them. We need the ‘sinless Son of God’ to take away from us the fear of judgment and death!

We can then learn what ‘repentance’ really is, not just feeling sorry, but being willing to have a change of mindset in terms of how we shall live – a mindset open to new possibilities never before thought possible, empowered by the Holy Spirit traveling with us. We needed to be able to put our faith in something beyond ourselves, and be drawn out of drudgery into all sorts of exciting possibilities … of community, of ministry, and of mission.

Through Jesus, God was redeeming us to Himself. This is like God going to “Cash Converters” to use the currency of Jesus to buy back what we had sold off – our very lives / our very souls! This is like God paying the ransom to the kidnapper that had taken us away from our Parent. Our master could have been our selfish desires or destructive behaviours or feelings of hopelessness, and we had become enslaved to these things, yet Jesus has bought us out of these into freedom.

b. God, in human form, could also model life as it should be lived, ie. with integrity, faithfulness and compassion; becoming a friend to the outcast; offering healing of mind and body to the afflicted; teaching eternal truths and principles for living. As well, God in human form could experience all the complexities involved in living in such a “fallen” world (suffering rejection, betrayal and pain), such that we could never again say … that God doesn’t understand how hard it is (Hebrews 2:17-8, 4:14-6). Yet, Jesus also offers us an example of overcoming life’s negatives, showing that he can lead others beyond human limitations. Jesus is able to reveal God to humanity – if you want to know what God is like … look at Jesus. Jesus informed his disciple Philip, that having seen him [Jesus], he has also seen the Father (John 14:9).

(2) Why did Jesus come at the time he did?

Or - Why did God choose the time in history He did to send Jesus into the world?

Have you ever wondered about this? It’s very interesting!

Of course this would have been determined in the all-knowingness of God, yet we can see various factors impacting this timing.

a. The Religious Malaise – ie. God’s people were under various unhelpful influences
at the time of Jesus’ actual coming – the ‘Pharisees’ were small-minded … fixated on petty detailed matters of the “law” & outward acts of piety; the ‘Sadducees’ preferred to maintain their acceptability to the Roman authorities rather than listen for God’s voice; the ‘Zealots’ resorted to violence; and the ‘Essenes’ withdrew from society rather than actively seeking a better world.

Many thoughtful Jews were dissatisfied with such a state of affairs, and longed for a religious movement without prejudice, such burdensome rules, political alignments, violence or invisibility. And certainly the ‘gods’ of the Roman world did not satisfy the longing hearts and hungering souls. May non-Jews were attracted to the mono-theistic religion of the Jews, but were not admitted to the synagogue without circumcision; and so they would be ready to embrace the freedom Christianity
would offer.

b. The “Pax Romana” – Jesus came at a time of unprecedented peace, civil harmony & political stability in the Roman Empire; thus there was such a freedom of movement that Jesus was able to travel around the various towns as he chose to share his message. (A century earlier, the then known world was intensely localized and subdivided, and suspicions & jealousies led to constant conflicts and closed borders.)

The Roman authorities didn’t mind what religious philosophy their citizens followed along as they remained loyal to the emperor.

{Ironically, it was the same world setting that set the stage for Jesus’ coming that also set the scene for Jesus’ crucifixion, as the agenda and leadership of the religious elite was being threatened, leading to the threat to the peace of Roman rule – “Pax Romana”.}

c. Also, subsequent to Jesus 33 years on earth, due to this easy movement around Palestine (and the wide knowledge of the greek language), there would follow further time in which his disciples could be effective in spreading the gospel. Even as some were persecuted, they would be able to take the good news with them where they fled and eventually settled. As the gospel was shared and discussed on the highways and byways, those traveling for business would come into contact with it, receive it, and take the news of Jesus back to their own home towns. As the teaching about Jesus
was shared with enthusiasm, courage, integrity and social conscience, many thousands had the opportunity to come to faith; Christian teaching proving to be popular among women and slaves due to its emphasis on equality.

[In a sense, God couldn’t wait any longer, and here was an opportunity where the arrival of Jesus would make a real impact for all time to come. The whole of history led up to this decisive moment. For those who had (properly) heard the prophets like Isaiah and were expectant – their waiting was over! Jesus himself said: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near…" (Mark 1:15a)]

(3) God does know best!

I think that when we read the words: … when the fullness of time had come (4:4), we have to acknowledge that God knows best when to act – only God knows best when to respond to our prayers; only God has all the information to hand, we don’t have anywhere near the appreciation of the big picture that God has!

We probably don’t even understand our own personal needs clearly enough, let alone the needs of the world as a whole. This shouldn’t stop us praying, even praying specifically, yet we need to understand that God will bring change ‘in the fullness of time’. Part of this ‘fullness of time’ however, may be our personal readiness to recognize God’s activity and our preparedness to cooperate with God … in bringing about solutions (just like the 1st Century disciples).

We could utilize this philosophy as we continue to pray for rain. We passionately
pray for our country’s obvious need for rain, yet we acknowledge that God will provide His response ‘in the fullness of time’. We don’t understand the delay, but
we don’t have to, we just keep trusting and praying. They may be things standing in the way that need to be dealt with, eg. ‘repentance’ concerning our failure to live up to our responsibility for caring for God’s creation. There also may not be enough signs that we are prepared to conserve God’s resources in the future.

Thus, there are many factors that may impinge on God’s timing.

There was an obvious need for God’s intervention given that the ‘religious law’ had not really advanced humankind toward the purposes of God; however there would not have been much point if Jesus came at a time when there was no-one prepared to follow him. When God responded to the need of the world in sending Jesus, there had to be a realistic expectation that the fisherman and the tax collector and the zealot and the others would actually respond to the call to follow Jesus. There also had to be the expectation that Peter would preach on the ‘Day of Pentecost’ to inaugurate the church, and that Paul’s mindset would change towards being a missionary for Christ.

(4) Being a child of God

Or, Traveling a New Road

Jesus came, and as I said last week, his coming is as relevant today as it was when it actually happened. What can we do with this today?

We mentioned earlier that this coming of Jesus had a particular purpose – to
re-unite us with our loving creator; we have been “redeemed” to be taken into God’s (eternal) family – to become a member of the household of God.

We don’t have to strive to impress God anymore – just be trusting, & open and ready to learn. He just loves us as His child, and we can call Him Daddy! And God is not confined to some of the negative experiences of fatherhood we may have experienced. God never abuses, God never stops loving us, God never fails us; when we experience His correction – it is always for our good. God accepts us, God values us, and we belong to Him. This is because God looks at us through Jesus, and God will honour the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.

So, we can acknowledge and embrace that we are children of God, and pray that the Holy Spirit within us will change us in every way toward being in the image of Christ Jesus; committing ourselves to our part of this process: prayerful communication with God, study of His Word, membership of the local church, involvement in ministry and mission.

For any who are yet to experience being adopted into God’s family, today would be a good day to open yourselves afresh to becoming a child of God – to begin the wonderful journey of acceptance and nurture and purposeful living.

What's This Nativity Scene About?

We’re quite often presented with the scene of the nativity – Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the manger, donkey, sheep, shepherds, ‘kings’ – this can be a wonderful scene, breathing it’s essence of newness and hope. It’s great to see such a scene at the Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre, reminding people that there’s more to Christmas than Santa, presents, shopping and parties.

However there are many who perhaps don’t look any further than this quaint nativity scene, and others who may want to know more – but haven’t had the opportunity of discovering the depth of the significance of this child in the centre of the picture. Some may walk away from viewing this nativity scene indeed supposing that they’ll never really know what it means or what the difference is with this baby.

We are not just pondering a scene trapped in a historical past (some 2000 years ago), but an incident that has just as much relevance each and every year as it did when it first happened. It’s all tied up with the need each human being has for relationship with their creator God. It is born into each person that they are not fully complete without a relationship with the author of life.

For human beings of all times, many things get in the way and form barriers between us and God. We might innocently fall fowl of life’s circumstances, and find it very difficult to believe in a caring God. Or conversely, we might quite deliberately be making selfish decisions, showing a desire to control our own destiny, or a wish to dominate others. We may want to gain all of the treasures and pleasures that we see on offer in the world.

In so doing we neglect what matters most – what is happening and forming in the depths of our spirit. We might ask the question – when we get that new car, or gain that promotion, or receive that great academic result, or obtain some unexpected windfall – do we actually feel any happier, or do we have any greater sense of peace about the future?? Jesus said [yes, this same child in the nativity that grew up to be the greatest teacher in history]: "For what does it profit a person to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul?"

This same Jesus who was born into this world as a baby, grew to show himself as Son of God – God in the flesh, giving us serious insight into the mind and heart of God. Jesus did this through his remarkable teaching, and also through his compassionate ministry to the various people he encountered. Ultimately, when certain elements of the 1st century society could no longer handle the threat to the status quo that Jesus brought, they crucified him on a Roman cross.

Although this brought torture and agony to Jesus, he willingly suffered this, because through this sacrifice of the sinless Son of God, God was opening a path of grace and forgiveness toward reconciliation with God. Right at the very beginning of the gospel story we read: that Mary will bear a son, and this son is to be named Jesus, for this Jesus will save his people from their sins. This, the greatest Christmas gift of all, has been offered to each one of us.

Hopefully people would have thought kindly of you this Christmas, and bought you a gift that you’ll really enjoy. They will put out their arms and offer you this gift, and you’re response will likely be to take this gift and unwrap it and enjoy it for all that it’s worth. You are also being offered the gift of peace, hope and eternal life in the person of Jesus; a good response would be to open this gift and enjoy it for all that it is worth! This is the way to know what this nativity scene is all about!!