Christmas at Christ Church 2023
Dear Friends,
Christmas is in less than two months!
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 for presents soon is just a bridge too far.
For me, what is worst of all is that when I pull the Christmas tree decorations out of the garage, I am going to have to wrestle with the Christmas tree lights. Those things are my nemesis. I have never been able to buy lights and keep them in any sort of order for the next year. Every time, despite my best efforts they are tangled or have missing bulbs or missing adaptors. And on the odd occasion you get it all sorted out, a wire is broken and only half of them work. So every year, off to Bunnings I go for new ones. It’s so annoying.
Now, in some ways this is just like life. Nothing is ever perfect. Few things are always easy. We often don't quite feel satisfied. Sometimes things end up in a real mess. We all have those moments where we reflect back and say "If only"!
The good news is that Christmas provides us with the ultimate and lasting antidote to life's disappointments. At Christmas we see the Goodness of God. And that’s going to be our theme for Christmas this year — See the Goodness of God!
In Psalm 27 we read that despite the difficulties and challenges of life, David says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” He does indeed see much of God’s goodness but we see in full. When Simeon holds Jesus in the temple he says, “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel!”
In Christ, the goodness 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 goodness of God toward us each day. We are going to focus on all this and more at Christmas.
Now you might be thinking, two months of notice for Christmas is a lot — but due to the timing of Christmas this year, we wanted to pass on to you some information about what is happening when so you can be ready. If you are a calendar person you will know Christmas Day is a Monday and that calls into question how we would manage all our regular Christmas Eve joy on a Sunday. Well here is the plan for Christmas week.
Blue Christmas will be on Tuesday 19th 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, the Sunday of Christmas Eve - none of our regular services will be on. Instead we will have:
10am - Kids Christmas Eve Extravaganza
7pm - Christmas Carols Service for all
11pm - Christmas Carols Service with band
Christmas Day will be as normal with services at 8am and 9.30am.
All this information and more is on the website at 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 spiritually 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 watch the dawning light of the incarnation rise. See the goodness of God! 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 goodness and receive from him rest.
Life might feel out of control, but trusting Jesus leads to a new perspective on life that brings satisfaction and hope. And as you are rejuvenated by his goodness, consider who you might invite to come to Christmas with you. Who else do you know who needs to see the goodness of God?
Amen.
