Basic (yet vital) liturgy and reflections for Christmas Day…

Christmas Day 11

Joyful Song

In this season above all fostering the virtue of being thankful and recognising how fortunate we are seems reasonable advice to give. Especially for all the enrichment that has come to us in Christ Jesus. As Paul writes:“It is God himself who has invited us to share in the life of his Son…and God keeps faith.” (1 Cor.1:9). And God keeps His promises. Last week, the kids had just got home from school, and Isaac spotted this beautiful rainbow. I was starting to prep this service (and if truth be told had writer’s block) – but his cries to come and see the sky from his bedroom window inspired me towards today’s Bible passages.

The first text from Luke – the prophetic Christmas song of Zechariah (often called the Benedictus) – talks about the coming of a Saviour who would redeem his people. Zechariah’s joyful praise (he’s only just got his voice back. He was struck dumb for not believing the angel’s message about the birth of his son John which you can read earlier in the chapter) recalls hundreds of years of God’s sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham, His servant David, and going on into eternity.He mentions something very significant – that God “remembers His sacred covenant.” (Lk.1:72).

The holy covenants of God were sealed by signs. With Abraham the sign of circumcision was given, and with Noah, many generations earlier, the Lord said: “I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.” (Gen.9:13). That’s why there’s a rainbow above the Lord’s throne (Rev.4:3). Because God looks on it to remember His everlasting promise to all generations and with all creation. Confirmation alluded to by Paul in the 2nd text where he writes, and I paraphrase:“You possess full knowledge…as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, free from all blame on the Day of the Lord.” (1 Cor.1:5-8).

God’s people will be known by the fruit they produce, the praises they sing and the hope and joy they have in Christ – the promised Messiah – who came in Zechariah’s lifetime; who comes to us and empowers us today by His Holy Spirit; and who will come again in glory at the right time in the future.

The rainbow and the Benedictus comfort us as they remind us that God is in control. Therefore, we must be grateful and joyful to Him for the wonder of His loving care – even in the face of adversity. That’s the rub isn’t it? There are so many experiences which come to us for which it would be unthinkable to offer praise and thanks to God!

For example, we’re not going to thank God for the deep sense of loss we feel at the death of a loved one, are we? We’re cannot be grateful for our parents or, sadly, children leaving us. We can be jubilant that their many health problems are gone; and we can be grateful for all the wonderful, lasting memories we have.

We do not always understand many of the unpleasant experiences which life brings, but from these situations we can learn that God is faithful, can be trusted and will keep us safe, no matter what. Faith in Jesus lights up the soul, and like Zechariah causes mute people to shout for joy! Rather helpfully, CS Lewis (himself no stranger to pain and suffering) said: “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods and circumstances.” So faith is the foundation for JOY.

Zechariah’s faith in the coming Messiah would save his people from their enemies, would bring good out of evil and “those who live in the dark shadow of death will be guided onto paths of peace… The bright dawn of salvation will rise on us all”  and joy will come out of sadness. (Lk.1:78-79). What’s more Zechariah’s own son, John, would have a ministry in the events to come. Although God has unlimited power, He chooses to work through frail humans who often have their doubts. But even if our faith in Christ is weak – remember a bad situation is never a final situation. Follow the star and trust in all circumstances. For after the rain, comes the sunshine in which we may even see a rainbow.

We’ve just sung Zechariah’s song! The Benedictus is an expression of a long and steadfast hope in God despite personal troubles. As I said earlier it can help us grasp the big themes of God’s story: the knowledge of salvation, forgiveness and reconciliation. Advent naturally leads us, and invites us, to discover all these things in the manger once again. This is what being a people of The Book, people of the story is all about.

It’s real worship. To sing of a God who remembers promises. To sing of a God who is not content to stand at a distance – but to be physically born into this messed up world so He could guide our feet into the way of peace and fully understand what it is to be human living in the shadow of death.

What would you say is one of the things we admire most about people? Think of politicians particularly. We vote for them hoping they will be faithful to their word. Yet people continually change their minds and their plans, or even their policies without hesitation.

But God is faithful to His Word. He’s kept it in the past and He will keep it in the future. The motive of His holy covenants was to bless all the nations of the earth. And beginning with the rainbow, Abraham, David, the birth of John, and above all of Jesus, that is the promise which the Lord is fulfilling now. He comes to save and deliver because of His mercy and compassion and desire for us to live as He created us to be.

Advent keeps us in anticipation of “the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor.1:8) – that day of promise and hope, as Zechariah’s prophecy intended. For Bethlehem takes on a much deeper meaning and we can understand – have that knowledge which Paul speaks of – to be ready for Christ’s visible appearing at the end of history and time as we know it.

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. Therefore, we hear good news when we hear Zechariah’s Christmas song. So make it No.1 in your lives this year. And rejoice! For you know where indescribable joy comes from.

The King’s Highway

We’re not in the grip of a “BIG freeze” like we were this time last year. A mild autumn has confused nature – with ducklings being born and bulbs appearing too early. They may not survive. It will get colder. The trees will be thick with frost,  as winter sets in. Despite being stuck in the cold season’s icy clutches, when the sun sparkles and the ice starts to thaw – somehow everything is transformed.

I always think of Narnia. CS Lewis’ imaginary land, ruled by the evil white witch, under whose oppression it is “always winter and never Christmas.” But then as her reign diminishes under the power of good – the land springs back into life: “The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wilderness. The desert will sing and shout for joy.” (Is.35:1-2). I wonder if Lewis, who became a Christian after much searching, debating and doubt, was inspired by these verses?

In fact the entire chapter is inspirational. Joy is like a light shining in a dark place…“The blind will be able to see”… (Is.35:5) as they wait for God’s promises to come true. It’s amazing grace – I once was blind, but now I see – that opens us up, spiritually, to see and hear the Gospel truth. Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Mt.11:4-5).

Last week we looked at John’s dramatic entrance onto the scene. The voice in the wilderness, breaking centuries of silence. His fiery preaching got people panicking. Repent and believe the rule of God. I am only preparing the way for someone much greater who will bring judgement and destruction. John’s Messiah was eagerly anticipated. He awakened the nation’s hope. But his cousin Jesus, whom He had baptised and of whom he had said: “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn.1:29) had confused him. Rome hadn’t been violently overthrown by the Messiah. So from prison John makes enquiries as to whether Jesus really was the much longed for promised Saviour. Jesus answered John’s doubts by pointing to His healing miracles. With so much evidence, His identity was obvious. When CS Lewis looked at the proof in Scripture – it changed his life. It changed my life too. If it hasn’t already, God’s Word can also change yours.

We all need to find the Way. Something Isaiah describes as “The Road of Holiness” (35:8) – a road which doesn’t lead nowhere, but is the way that righteous pilgrims take from the desert of suffering to the joy of God’s home – Zion the heavenly city. And on His highway God walks with us; He is always beside us as we journey. JOY to the world the Lord has come! It’s been over 2,000 years, but Advent brings assurance that this truth still prevails.

Infinite joy is offered to us. But then as Lewis states: “We are half hearted creatures fooling about with all the wrong things, so when the offer comes our way we’re like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea!”

It’s so easy to miss the whole point of Christmas. At His birth, Jesus brought tidings of comfort and joy. He brings sustenance and growth to hungry, broken and dry seeking hearts: “Streams of water will flow…” says the prophet (Is.35:6). Symbolism elaborated by Jesus Himself who says: “Whoever believes in me, streams of life-giving water will pour out from his heart.” (Jn.7:38).

There’s amazing joy in the Christmas story. Mary can’t contain herself. We sang her song: “Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.” And Isaiah’s prediction mentions tired hands and weak knees. Almost as if he’s saying, “stop playing in the mud” – God is coming to your rescue. (35:3-4). Jesus reminds us in Matthew’s Gospel that often we only see what we expect to see. We can be blind and deaf ourselves to what Christmas is all about. In three weeks time it is a day of rejoicing for with Jesus’ birth comes the ability for us to overcome sin and sadness, because our Lord loved us enough to become one like us.

O come, O come, Immanuel. We need “our eyes and ears of faith” re-focused, and cleaned out. John was disappointed when he heard what Jesus was doing. He wasn’t conquering the Romans. He wasn’t cleansing the nation as it was believed He should be. Nevertheless what Jesus did was close the path to misery, open wide our heavenly home, and make safe the way that leads on high.

Those hymn lyrics about Christ’s coming, and that two out of our five candles are now lit, signify that the light will soon be greater than the darkness. With Christ’s light new things are possible, as little grows in the dark: “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue” the OT prophecy reminds us (Is.35:4). Advent is a journey to joy. When we realise the height, width and depth of God’s love for us, our hearts can’t help but leap for joy: “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me” Jesus says (Mt.11:6).

This is the dream and vision of the Gospel. We can all joyfully participate in it. The King’s Highway, the Way of Holiness, cuts through our spiritual wilderness, traverses through the barren sands of our toughest times, and makes us bloom like a desert flower.

Christmas is about the coming of the kingdom of God and about the salvation of the world. Moreover it is our personal redemption and being able to participate in God’s story that brings great joy. Jesus showed us the Way, He walked the Way, He taught the Way and His Spirit is here now, at work in the world, in our church, in our lives and so we are not alone and we have nothing to fear.

The promise is sure for those who choose to travel the Holy Way. Therefore, let go of all the “Christmas clutter” – and may joy be yours this Christmas time.