Year A Advent 4
Text:
Matthew 1:18-25 – Christmas – more than a fairy tale
Most
of the world was saddened at the death of Nelson Mandela.
At
a memorial ceremony recently held in his honour, a controversy erupted.
Standing
alongside several world leaders including US President Barrack Obama was a
person employed to interpret the speeches with sign language for the deaf.
It
didn’t take long for news to come out that this person wasn’t actually signing
what was being spoken.
When
asked why he did what he did, he claimed that he heard voices that told him
what to sign and even saw angels standing in front of him.
People
have made the conclusion that this person is mentally unstable and should
perhaps be institutionalised for what he has said and done.
People
become sceptical when you start telling them about supernatural experiences
So,
can you imagine what people thought of Joseph when he told his family and
friends that his fiancé was pregnant with God’s Son and that an angel had told
him this?
I
wonder what people really think when we start telling the Christmas story about
virgin births and angels.
One
of the difficulties that faces the church, I believe, is that we have
romanticised the Christmas story that it almost becomes a fairy tale.
It’s
become a romantic love story of a young man and woman whose love for each other
has seen them able to come together in marriage against the odds.
We
see the lovely pictures of Mary and baby set in a scenery with Shepherds, Kings
and animals all gathered around under the bright shining star paying their
respects to this young romantic couple and their new born baby.
That’s
what people want to see and hear on Christmas Eve but sadly it hides the stark
reality of what really is happening and the grim reality of why it is
happening.
Joseph
and Mary’s relationship was against the odds.
Their
struggle was against a strict Old Testament law that said that Mary should be
stoned to death for her infidelity. (Leviticus 20:10-12)
Their
birthing room was a stinking stable with smells that one can barely tolerate
for any period of time.
Have
you ever been in a shearing shed or walked through the show grounds to all the
smells and noises?
Have
you ever slept on hay in the cold outback let alone imagine what it must have
been like giving birth?
Christmas
is an amazing time.
I
love the carols, the trimmings, the children’s plays and all the things that
make it so special.
But
we must also remember how significant it is what is actually happening.
The
Son of God being born to a human woman.
The
Islamic faith condemns Christianity for daring to believe that Mary could bear
the Son of God:
“They
do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god
except One Allah. If they desist not from their word of blasphemy, verily a
grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. (Qur'an 5:73)
And
so the Muslim faith understands the significance of what Christmas is
proclaiming~
And
again the Quran writes: Christ Jesus the son of Mary was no more than a
messenger of Allah; Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for
you: (Quran 4:171)
What
happened on that very first Christmas was not a romantic love story.
The
birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation, is the full power and authority of Heaven
descending upon the earth to prevent all of humanity being destroyed because of
our sinfulness and disobedience to God.
And
it happened in a way that was more dramatic than can ever be sung or acted out
because it is unimaginable.
There
is nothing romantic or playful about what is happening here, nor about what is
about to happen – so much so that Herod puts to death all the children in the
region under 2 years old just to protect his kingship. (Matthew 2:16)
As
Christians we should treasure what is happening and never underestimate the
power that is at play here.
God,
the creator of heaven and earth and all that exists believes that the only way
that he can save the world from oblivion is to send his own Son to be born as
one of us.
We
face strong opposition today from the world.
The
world wants to remove Christ from Christmas.
They
find it offensive.
It
wants us to celebrate Happy Holidays or offer Seasons Greetings.
It
wants Christmas Carols replaced with songs of Santa.
Tell
the world you’re a Christian and you might find a similar response to that of
Joseph when he told his family and friends that an angel told him that his
fiancé is pregnant with God’s son.
But
we must stand up and be proud about what we believe.
The
reason God took such drastic measures 2000 years ago is still relevant today.
There
are people not saved – in fact most of the world either rejects or does not
know about Jesus Christ and that is a real concern for their eternal salvation.
The
Christian message is not an easy message to deliver but God has provided us
with an opportunity with the appeal that Christmas has to people.
Children
love dressing up as angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph.
Adults
don’t mind coming to church that once a year to begin their Christmas
celebrations.
Carols
by Candlelight are extremely popular with many councils funding community
evenings and TV networks televising the publicly sold out carol evenings.
Let
us use these as opportunities to teach so they don’t just become fairy tales
and make believe.
It
really did happen – and it happened for a reason.
God
loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever
believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
God
did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save the world through him.
May
God bless you as you celebrate Christmas with your friends and family but more
so may Christmas draw you into a deeper and more fuller relationship with God
who loves YOU so much that he sent his Son to save YOU.
The
peace of God that surpasses our understanding, keep your hearts and minds
forever in Christ Jesus. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment