Thought for the Week 2020 – Advent 4

Luke 2: 1 - 20

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she 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.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Advent 4 – Do Not be Afraid: There is Good News!

Right now we need hope in a time of despair; we need life in the midst of death. Covid-19 has had a massive impact on our entire world during 2020. Nothing since WWII that has affected just about every human being in the world in the way this virus has done. And as we come towards the end of the year there is a mixture of fear with hope. It was very recently that three vaccines reached a stage of development where they could start to be administered. And people began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But even more recently we have learned of a new variant of the virus which spreads much more easily and rapidly. The hospitals are at the point of being overwhelmed, family gatherings for Christmas are all but cancelled, church buildings are closing once again. The light at the end of the tunnel looks like it is being smothered. Who can we turn to?

‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’

The greatest story ever told is right here in Luke 2. God became man and made his dwelling among us. The Creator became a part of the creation. We call it the ‘incarnation’ – meaning that God became human and took on human flesh. God came to be with us in such a real, physical, tangible sense. And part of the message is stated by the angels who appeared to the shepherds: ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’ How are we feeling right now? Are we afraid because of the news of the rapid spread of the new variant of the virus? Are we anxious and fearful of what the future might hold? There is good news! There is a reason for joy for all people! A Saviour has been born! Yes, there is uncertainty and we might be anxious about what is happening in our world. But we can trust in the Good News of the Saviour, and rest in him – there really is Good News in the midst of so much bad news.

After the first angel had given the message, he was joined by ‘a great company’ of angels. Imagine what that must have looked like to those shepherds! And they said,’ Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ Who are the people ‘on whom God’s favour rests’? Does he have favourites? God’s favour rests on all people, but sadly not all people recognise or accept it. The peace of God is available for all people – we can receive his peace, love and joy if we will turn to him. There is peace on earth for all who will turn their backs on selfish, proud living, and come to God in humility, confession and repentance. God has the very best for us – and the proof of that is his willingness to send his only Son to live for us, to die for us and to rise again.

Much as we might be saddened by the way this Christmas is so different, nothing can replace the joy of what Christmas is really all about, and nothing can take away the peace that Jesus brings.

 

Prayer

Father, no matter what else is happening in life, we rejoice today in the Good News that your Son was born. We praise you that we can know God With Us every day of our life. We thank you that no matter what else is happening in our world right now, Jesus is our King, our Saviour and out Friend. May we know your love, strength, protection, joy and peace in our lives every single day, and not just at Christmas. Amen.