Christmas 2024
Dear friends,
The decorations are going up. The nativity scenes are coming out. It’s all a sign that Christmas is almost here.
For some of you this is the most exciting news you have heard all year. For the other 95% of us, this is terrifying. The year is almost gone and the idea that you might need to tackle the shops to prepare for Christmas sends shudders down the spine of even the most seasoned among us. So, let me invite you for a moment to lift your eyes to one of the most beautiful and glorious things about Christmas.
It’s an annual reminder that the kindness of the Lord appeared. When Jesus was born into the world, he did not come to berate, hate or mandate. He came to announce that God’s favour is toward us, that God’s love is for us, that God’s mercy was going to be poured out in our direction. This is the kindness of God. And doesn’t our world need to hear a message of kindness right now. We have had another year of conflict, struggle and spite, internationally, nationally and locally. I am slowly becoming allergic to watching the news for fear of being overwhelmed with sadness. Wouldn’t it be great if the world was overwhelmed with kindness.
Well, it has been. The kindness of God has appeared and his name is Jesus. Kindness is that beautiful quality seen in generous friendship and considerate thoughtful love; and this is the approach God has made toward us in Jesus.
This Christmas, kindness is also our theme. We are going to proclaim the news from Titus 3:4-7:
When the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
In Christ, the kindness of God has been seen in the land of the living and it is still seen as the Gospel is preached and as we encourage each other with the kindness of God toward us each day. We are going to focus on all this and more at Christmas.
So what are we planning?
Blue Christmas will be on 7.30pm Tuesday 17th December.
This is a wonderful moment to pause on the cusp of Christmas and reflect on the year. It’s particularly helpful for those who have had a more difficult year as we spend time reflecting on the joys and sorrows of life.
Then, Christmas Eve is on a Tuesday so our services will be:
10am - Traditional Christmas
5pm - Kids Christmas Eve
7.30pm - Candlelight Carols
11pm - Upbeat Christmas
Christmas Day will be just one service at 9am.
All this information and more is on the website at www.christchurch.com.au/christmas so you can get it all in your diary now.
More importantly of course, now is the time to re-engage with God if he has gone missing from your life. If you are not reading much in your Bible, can I encourage you to open it up to Luke 1 and read a few verses each day and see his kindness towards you! If you finish Luke, turn to Matthew, then John. Allow the news of Christmas to refresh and enliven you - draw near to Jesus and even in the chaos, see his kindness and receive from him rest.
Amen
