CHRISTMAS 2020

Perhaps the best word to describe life at the moment is “uncertain”. An invisible virus came from a largely unknown place (Wuhan), attached itself to people and, in our mobile age, has affected the whole world within months. Last Christmas who would have predicted the restrictions that we are under? The idea of having to wear a mask , to stay at home most of the time and not be free to go shopping where we like would have been unbelievable.

The virus has undermined four things that many people gain security from: family; health, wealth; and status.

Family. Will we be able to see family this Christmas? If so, can we be in a home or building together, can people in residential homes be visited, do we need to social distance, will anyone need to isolate, can we travel far?

Some people will be having to cope with Christmas without a loved one who has died, or they may have a loved one who has been severely affected by the virus. Others will not be able to enjoy Christmas with family because they are health or care workers and working in hospitals, nursing homes or hospices.

Health. There will be people at home and in hospitals who are suffering from covid19.

There is mental as well as physical health to consider. 69% of adults surveyed reported feeling worried about the effects of covid19.

Worry can be linked to bereavement, isolation, fear of catching the virus, housing, loss of income/job. These can lead to anxiety, stress, insomnia, dependence upon drugs including alcohol and tobacco, poor diet, worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions. Post traumatic stress may be felt by health and care workers.

The loss of employment, money and/or health may make some people feel a loss of status and purpose, less stable, and less valuable.

Where is God in all this? Does He care? Does He know what we feel like? Can he help?

The Bible says that the invisible God became visible and accessible when he came to earth that First Christmas. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1.15.

The Bible says that God showed how much he loved us in and by Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3.16.

Jesus was born into uncertainty. When she found out she was pregnant Mary was unsure how Joseph would react. Also, what would the future hold for her unborn son? Joseph was uncertain about what Mary told him and was ready to break up with her, so God sent an angel to him. “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceaived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1.19-21

Joseph and the pregnant Mary faced the uncertainty of a 80 mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Joseph had to register for a census because it was his family home.

Arriving at Bethlehem it was so carowded they couldn't find a comfortable room. It is unlikely that they tried to get a room in an inn because the word translated "inn" usually means a "guest room". It was likely that there was no room in the guest room in the family house of Joseph in Bethlehem, so a stable was used. The latest NIV translation reads, “she (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2.7.

You would have thought God might have had Jesus born into a family with a bigger home or a smaller family! You certainly wouldn’t imagine that God’s son would be born in a stable.

You certainly would not imagine that the first visitors would be shepherds. They couldn't worship in the temple or give evidence in court. They were despised, and regarded as irreligious, untrustworthy.

You certainly would not imagine that the next recorded visitors were foreigners. They studied stars, not the God of the Israelites. They were uncertain where to find Jesus so they went to King Herod. This was a mistake. He was jealous and killed all the boys in Bethlehem under two years old. But God warned Joseph about this and Jesus and his family had the uncertainty of being foreigners and refugees in Egypt until it was safe for them to return.

Although these things may be familiar to us it shows that Jesus was born into an uncertain world. Not how we might have planned it. But this was the way God planned it. There is a sense in which this is right because if Jesus had entered in a civilised and sanitised way we could turn round and say, "It was easy for him. My life isn't like that."

Thankfully, God has given people the ability to fight the virus and work on a vaccine. We pray that this will come soon, be effective, safe, and widely available, especially to those who are vulnerable.

Something small and invisible has eroded the security of family, health, wealth and status. None of these things are wrong in themselves, indeed they are gifts from God, but they are fragile and unable to give the peace and security we seek. Only God can do this. The invisible God became a small, vulnerable baby to grow up and show us what God is like, what we should be like, and to put us right with God because we all fail to live as God wants us to.

I started off quoting Colossians 1.15 about the first Christmas. Verses 19 & 20 looks to Easter, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

How does God want us to deal with the uncertainty we face? The night before his crucifixion Jesus had just told his disciples that he would be killed and they were fearful and uncertain. He said to them. “Do not let your hearts be troubles; trust in God, also trust in me”. John 14.1

Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful Christmas and 2021 through your trust in God and Jesus through the work of His Spirit.

God bless,

Jim Pye www.sermonsplus.co.uk