Happy Christmas. Now What? (Christmas 1, Isaiah 61.10 - 62.3, Luke 2.15-21)




Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.

Happy Christmas! So now what?

We’re now headed into what I call ‘the slump time’. That weird period between Christmas and New Year, when many people are off work, we’re all full of rich food, or a bit hungover, and nobody has any idea what day of the week it is.

Although to be honest, for some people, perhaps we should call 2020 the year of the slump. Though of course our hardworking Key Workers have been doing anything but slumping. This year has been very tough emotionally, physically and financially for many.

For Christians the joy of Christmas continues as we celebrate Christmas Season, which carries on until at least the 3rd of January when we celebrate the feast of ‘The Epiphany’, otherwise known as when the Wise Men visited Jesus. Or for some Christmas continues until the 10th of January when the baptism of Christ is celebrated.

For us this should be anything but a slump time.

The Hymn I started off with, I didn’t just sing it to show off my pipes. I did have a point you’ll be pleased to know…

It’s one of my favourite Advent Hymns, and for me although it’s sung before Christmas, sums up what our attitude should be in this post-Christmas slump season. Or to put it another way:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
    my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Here the Prophet Isaiah is expressing thanks to God, for all Her promises. For all that He’s done for Israel. What was the greatest promise of all that God made? That a saviour would come. That She wouldn’t abandon them. We believe this was fulfilled through Jesus.

We have been clothed in garments of salvation, absolutely bathed in grace. It doesn’t just mean that God has given us a pretty dress, though I do look good in high heels…

Through the birth of Jesus we have been given a gift that we can never repay, and nor does God expect us to. On Christmas Day this year. I felt bad because many people gave me gifts, and I hadn’t got them anything in return. I wonder if you’ve ever felt that?

Oh they’ve given me so much, and my offering is so meagre in comparison?

But if someone loves you, it doesn’t matter how small or big a gift you give them. They love you just the same. So it is with God.

We rejoice in this Christmas period because we’re given the gift that we can never repay, and that’s okay. We don’t have to. That’s what grace means.

We prepare a throne in our hearts, as the hymn said by accepting this gift.

With excitement the Shepherds go to the manger; with haste! Expectant, happy and joyful!

Their love for God compelled them into joy. So it should compel us to.

Yes things are utterly rubbish. Yes we have to stay at home and not see each other, but like the exile of Israel this won’t last forever.

Just like the anticipation and joy of when the Shepherds saw the Christ. Imagine the joy we will share when all this is finally over, and we can hug each other again.

In God we have hope and celebration because our future is secure forever. Even though we don’t know what’s going to happen. God’s got us covered.  

So let’s keep our eyes on the horizon. Thankful for the hope we’ve been given. Let’s keep alert, looking out for those around us who need help and support. Let’s enthrone God by being a hope filled and energetic people. Because for us, there’s no need to slump, for our hope is in God’s grace that has come through Jesus.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven’s eternal arches ring
With Thy belovèd name.

Amen. 

Preached 27/12/2020 St Paul's and St John's Old Lakenham and Tuckswood Zoom Worship

 Photo by Mati Mango from Pexels

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