Christmas Starts with Christ - Pagan beginnings
At one level this is patently untrue. Jesus was most definitely not born on December 25, not in December at all. We have very little evidence when He was born, but the stories indicate that it was most likely towards the end of September. Then the weather would still have been good enough for Shepherds to be outside overnight. In December it was too wet and cold for that. So how did we get to December 25?
In the early Christian world there were many activities that we would find outrageous and entirely unacceptable . There was a winter solstice festival celebrated in ancient Rome called Saturnalia. The festival celebrated the return of the unconquered sun. The days had been shortening, now they were lengthening again, the sun was returning. It lasted a full week, ending on December 25th. In pagan Rome the law courts were suspended, charges of drunkenness, criminal damage, criminal injury and rape could not be made. The festival was characterized by naked singing in the streets. On the last day, someone was chosen as an enemy of Rome, they were fed generously then attacked and killed.
The early Christians were appalled at the excesses of this festival (along with much of the rest of life in Rome) and put an alternative festival on the day.
Much as we do on Halloween with our lights parties.
The birth of Jesus was a good choice – it picks up on the equivalent Christian symbolism. The son of God is born, the light of the world has come, sin and darkness will be banished forever, we celebrate the coming of brighter days ahead.
When the Empire became officially Christian the Saturnalia festival was still widely supported and the official celebration of Christmas encouraged, with much of the over indulgence of Saturnalia being left in place so as not to upset too many of the population.
Then, just as there is now, there was a tension between Christ at Christmas and the other festivities that take place at that time of year. Most of the traditions that go with Christmas have come from other pagan festivals from other times and other cultures, as Christianity spread throughout the world.
Christmas Starts with Christ - Times are changing
I've already use the title 'Light of the World' to describe Jesus. It's especially true that a new baby brings light and hope into our lives. When there is a birth among family or friends we make an effort to visit the baby as soon as we can.
I can remember visiting my sister when she gave birth to her first child (He's 30 now). I knew nothing about babies and was very tentative. I bent over the cot next to the hospital bed to get a closer look. A small fist shot up, and only because I was young and had good reactions did I avoid a black eye.
I remember when our God Child was born desperately trying to find the hospital in a strange town, and then struggling to find the maternity ward which seemed miles away. All that effort just to visit a baby, who will never have any memory of your visit.
We visit partly out of politeness , I'm sure, but also because babies represent our hope for the future.
We get a phone call and we go to visit, the shepherds went to worship, but then the announcement they received was somewhat more impressive than a phone call. The baby they were visiting represented hope for the future, not just for them and their families but for the whole world.
Most of us have about six months to prepare for the arrival of a new baby. That's when the expectation begins. What will he or she be like, what effect will they have on us and on the world around them.
We've heard the prophecies of Jesus' birth, they were hundreds of years before the birth. “ … the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
That's a lot to expect!
This child, though, changed the course of History. His death on the cross paid for our sins and allowed us to make peace with God, and even to have good will to all men.
For a baby like that you'd expect an impressive announcement when He finally does arrive and you'd expect a good attendance. That's just what Jesus got. Wise men – Magi – Astrologers from the east traveled for many miles, so far that they didn't arrive until He was described as a Child.
Christmas then began with Christ. There is biblical evidence for the celebration of His birth.
Christmas Starts with Christ - Today
Again it looks like it's just not true. Christmas, it seems begins with Marks & Spencer’s, and in September too – very appropriate! We must remember though that for many Christmas is a festival of gluttony and laziness, because they do not know what they're celebrating. So much mythology is incorporated into our tradition it's hard for someone who doesn't attend church to work out what's real and what isn't. They're in danger of throwing out the baby [pause].
If Christmas begins with Christ it is up to Christians to show that.
There's nothing wrong with preparing for a celebration and having everything ready in good time, but when it comes to the celebration we must be sure that it's Jesus we are celebrating.
When I first joined this church the group of friends I was among used to meet at the midnight communion and exchange presents after the service. The pattern was worship first and celebrate second.
When we first had our own children we continued the tradition. About 11pm we got them up, put them in the car in their pyjamas, dressing gowns and coats, and took them to church. The only babies, the only toddlers, the only children at midnight communion (in this church anyway). We continued the pattern of putting Jesus first – worship first, then celebration. Not only that NONE of them EVER got up early in the morning on Christmas day!
There are many things we can do during advent to prepare for the celebrations. Attending some of the special services, like the Carol service. Delivering invitations, keeping appropriate advent calendars, using an advent wreath at home. Whatever it is we must be sure that Christ is the focus, just as He should be in the rest of our lives. That way our Christmas really can begin with Christ – and end with Christ.
There's a Christmas song from the seventies you may remember: 'I believe in Father Christmas' by Emerson, Lake and Palmer the last verse reads:
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve
If our Christmas begins with Christ and continues with Him, the Christmas we get will be far better than the one we deserve.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
1 Thes 5:12-24
Introductory Question
What does Christ Church Expect of us in terms of our behavior?
[Get Responses]
Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Sermon
The Thessalonian church was a young church. Indeed all the churches we read about in the New Testament were young churches. This church was founded by Paul you can read about that in Acts chapter 17. The young Christians were learning fast how to live the Christian life. They had received praise for how well they were doing and were known as a dynamic congregation, {ref} but there was still a long way to go.
New Life / New Language
Tom Wright describes learning the Christian life as like learning a new language. As a young child learning languages comes naturally. Once you are older there is grammar to learn, which inevitable means learning rules, otherwise like Yoda you will always sound. After a while though these new rules become natural, you no longer have to think about them, so you no longer sound like Yoda.
It's similar with the Christian life, there are rules that make living the life easier, once you know them and are practiced in living with them they become natural and don't require thought.
Even with a new language, (or even with an original one) its often worth re-visiting the rules to see if you've fallen into bad 'abits.
So lets take a look at some of the things Paul says and see how well we did.
1Th 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
The very first thing that Paul asks of the Thessalonians is that they have respect for their leaders. [Comment?] Those, he says are the ones that work hard among you. He says similar things in other letters too. To Timothy he says:
1Ti 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Well, I would pick that verse wouldn't I? Of course it only works if you believe that the affairs of the church are well directed.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews says:
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
So we are to have respect for our leaders, but then there's that word 'admonish'. Not a word I hear in everyday conversation. According to thefreedisctionary.com it has three meanings:
1. To reprove gently but earnestly.
2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.
I wonder how you feel about being admonished. My reaction is often very defensive “Who do you think you are?” “What gives you the right ...?” “Take the plank out of your own eye ...”. I may not say it, (although I might – and more!) but you can bet I'm thinking it. I can remember that my reaction was like that when I was spoken to by someone who I believed needed some lessons in moral living. It was a reaction and when I thought about it a bit more, and prayed about my anger, I realized there was some truth in it.
I wonder now who I would readily accept admonishment from. It depends, of course, on the issue and the approach – the key is in the first definition – to reprove GENTLY but EARNESTLY.
So let me leave that as a question for you to discuss over coffee.
Who would I accept admonishment from?
1Th 5:13b Live in peace with each other.
Peace does not mean we never have disagreements, but it does mean they must be settled with discussion and prayer. It also means that our disagreements must never turn into fights – that just leads to factionalism and beaks up the fellowship. Later, before communion there will be an opportunity to make your peace with any one you have anything against. That's what the time is supposed to be for – not just a general greeting to all around the church. I know it's said often – but that's because it's important and true – if you have anything between you and someone else in the congregation – make your peace BEFORE you take communion.
1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
One preacher I read calls these the “won't dos”, the “want tos” and the “can't do's”.
First the idle – the won't do's – what should we warn them about? I am a firm believer in 'every member ministry', or the priesthood of all believers, or whatever you would like to call it.
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Revelation 5:10, "You [that's Jesus] have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth"
I believe that everyone has something to offer to the rest of the body of Christ. If someone constantly refuses to take part in anything at all, then they are in danger of becoming detached from the congregation, and no longer being a part of the church. We would not want that to happen to any one, so we must warn them.
The timid – the want tos – are characterized by the phrase “I'd like to but I couldn't ...”, or something similar. I'm assuming that their response is the truth and not an excuse. Paul says that we should encourage these people so that they will eventually try something – and probably be a great success at it.
The weak – the can't do's – those that have genuine difficulty taking part in any type of ministry. These people need our support and help in doing whatever it is that are trying to do.
Be patient with everyone – let everyone travel on the road at their own speed – there is no minimum speed in the Christian life, the only need is to keep moving in the right direction. There are plenty of times when I haven't even managed that. Had I been condemned or rejected I would not be here now!
1Th 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
This is the recipe for living in peace, but it goes deeper than that. You've heard the expression “Don't get mad, get even”, I'm sure. In the Christian life neither getting mad, nor getting even is an option. When you accept Christ into your life any “rights” that you may have had in this area must be given up.
It means the end of the fear of reprisals, blood feuds and vendettas. It's the start of genuinely living in peace.
1Th 5:16 Be joyful always;
1Th 5:17 pray continually;
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
How can I be joyful when I get out of the bed the on the wrong side, let alone when more serious problems occur in life. Here's a blog someone wrote on this verse, its called
“When God says always does He really mean ALWAYS?
Like ALL the time?
No matter what?
Without exception?
Every time?
Every circumstance?
Could He possibly mean THAT?
I mean- how is that even possible. Today I woke up with the remains of a migraine that will not quite go away and that has interposed on my sleep for two nights. Was I supposed to be joyful for THAT?
This afternoon I was ready to strangle someone I love very much. Someone I have cared and nurtured for many years. Was I supposed to be joyful THEN?
When I got home a car wouldn't start and we had to jump it. Was i supposed to be joyful THEN?
When I finally got inside, out of the cold wind (was I supposed to be joyful when I was cold?) and was met at the door with a "We have something to tell you" and the look from the supervising sibling that communicated that serious parental intervention was required. Then? Was I supposed to be joyful THEN?
REALLY?
Yes. Really! I was. Supposed to be that is. I wasn't. Joyful I mean.
How could God expect me to feel joy in all these circumstance? Uh- well- I guess He didn't command me to feel anything. He really just commanded me to BE something and He was gracious enough to tell me how.
Praying continually. Being thankful.
If I am supposed to be praying continually then it must mean that I am going to need a lot more of God and a lot less of me in order to be joyful.
And if I am "giving thanks in all thing" I am going to be awfully busy. In fact I will have little time left over for feeling sorry for myself or feeling angry at mistakes or envious of another's abundance.
So I think I better have a "do over" today- Thank you Lord for the headache: thank You that I have to slow down, and for medicine that can work, and family that cares that I am in pain.
Thank you Lord for the mistake of my child: thank You for the opportunity for a lesson to be learned, and thank You for ready solutions, and thank you for the opportunity I will have to apologize when he gets home, and thank You for love that covers a multitude of sins.
Thank You Lord for a car with a bad battery: thank You for a responsible son who doesn't expect me to fix everything for him, and thank You for jumper cables, and thank You for a car at all and that it still runs after 180,000 miles.
Thank You for the cold wind: I like sweaters.
Thank you Lord for my young child and her sins: thank You for the chance to share how You hate lies, and thank You that You hate lies, and thank You for creative ideas, and thank You for a big sister who cares for her younger sister, and thank You that I was with her for this valuable lesson.
Thank You that I do not have feel happy to BE joyful.”
1Th 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;
1Th 5:20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
Some of the men from Christ Church recently attended the CVM mens day called “Iron Sharpens Iron”. Carl Beech, who used to be at the Baptist Church, told a story that illustrates why we should listen to Gods spirit and never reject what He is saying to us.
He'd been doing door to door evangelism. At one house the woman had be very abusive and told him to get lost. You can imagine the language! Some time later he was walking down the same street and the spirit said “knock on that door”. Carl was not impressed, but he knocked on the door as an act of obedience. He received much the same response as the previous time. A while later, and walking down that same road again he heard “knock on that door”. This time the act of obedience was much harder to perform than the last time – but the result was very different. He was invited in! She explained that she had been preparing to kill her self when he first called and that God had been speaking to her about his next visit!
The Holy Spirit speaks into our lives in many different ways, recently, on our weekend away we were assured of God's love for all of us. This is prophecy – God speaking to us – it is intended to make a difference, just as predictions of the future are intended – mostly – not to come true!
1Th 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
Scripture!, Scripture! Scripture!
It's the only place we can go to find out if the messages we are receiving really do come from God, or whether the enemy is conning us.
My DIYers Bible contains everything you need to know to repair and improve your home – except mine doesn't talk about plastic water pipes because it was written in the seventies and things change.
People don't; God doesn't. The Bible was written 2000+ years ago and is just as relevant now as it was then!
1Th 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Run Away!
This is the only thing the Bible tells you not to get involved in something.
1Th 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Jesus is faithful. He has already done it! He has made it possible for you to be at peace with God. Through His death on the cross our sins can be forgiven and our relationship with the Holy one restored. Through his resurrection we are shown the life to come.
1Th 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
What does Christ Church Expect of us in terms of our behavior?
[Get Responses]
Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Sermon
The Thessalonian church was a young church. Indeed all the churches we read about in the New Testament were young churches. This church was founded by Paul you can read about that in Acts chapter 17. The young Christians were learning fast how to live the Christian life. They had received praise for how well they were doing and were known as a dynamic congregation, {ref} but there was still a long way to go.
New Life / New Language
Tom Wright describes learning the Christian life as like learning a new language. As a young child learning languages comes naturally. Once you are older there is grammar to learn, which inevitable means learning rules, otherwise like Yoda you will always sound. After a while though these new rules become natural, you no longer have to think about them, so you no longer sound like Yoda.
It's similar with the Christian life, there are rules that make living the life easier, once you know them and are practiced in living with them they become natural and don't require thought.
Even with a new language, (or even with an original one) its often worth re-visiting the rules to see if you've fallen into bad 'abits.
So lets take a look at some of the things Paul says and see how well we did.
1Th 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
The very first thing that Paul asks of the Thessalonians is that they have respect for their leaders. [Comment?] Those, he says are the ones that work hard among you. He says similar things in other letters too. To Timothy he says:
1Ti 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Well, I would pick that verse wouldn't I? Of course it only works if you believe that the affairs of the church are well directed.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews says:
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
So we are to have respect for our leaders, but then there's that word 'admonish'. Not a word I hear in everyday conversation. According to thefreedisctionary.com it has three meanings:
1. To reprove gently but earnestly.
2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.
I wonder how you feel about being admonished. My reaction is often very defensive “Who do you think you are?” “What gives you the right ...?” “Take the plank out of your own eye ...”. I may not say it, (although I might – and more!) but you can bet I'm thinking it. I can remember that my reaction was like that when I was spoken to by someone who I believed needed some lessons in moral living. It was a reaction and when I thought about it a bit more, and prayed about my anger, I realized there was some truth in it.
I wonder now who I would readily accept admonishment from. It depends, of course, on the issue and the approach – the key is in the first definition – to reprove GENTLY but EARNESTLY.
So let me leave that as a question for you to discuss over coffee.
Who would I accept admonishment from?
1Th 5:13b Live in peace with each other.
Peace does not mean we never have disagreements, but it does mean they must be settled with discussion and prayer. It also means that our disagreements must never turn into fights – that just leads to factionalism and beaks up the fellowship. Later, before communion there will be an opportunity to make your peace with any one you have anything against. That's what the time is supposed to be for – not just a general greeting to all around the church. I know it's said often – but that's because it's important and true – if you have anything between you and someone else in the congregation – make your peace BEFORE you take communion.
1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
One preacher I read calls these the “won't dos”, the “want tos” and the “can't do's”.
First the idle – the won't do's – what should we warn them about? I am a firm believer in 'every member ministry', or the priesthood of all believers, or whatever you would like to call it.
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Revelation 5:10, "You [that's Jesus] have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth"
I believe that everyone has something to offer to the rest of the body of Christ. If someone constantly refuses to take part in anything at all, then they are in danger of becoming detached from the congregation, and no longer being a part of the church. We would not want that to happen to any one, so we must warn them.
The timid – the want tos – are characterized by the phrase “I'd like to but I couldn't ...”, or something similar. I'm assuming that their response is the truth and not an excuse. Paul says that we should encourage these people so that they will eventually try something – and probably be a great success at it.
The weak – the can't do's – those that have genuine difficulty taking part in any type of ministry. These people need our support and help in doing whatever it is that are trying to do.
Be patient with everyone – let everyone travel on the road at their own speed – there is no minimum speed in the Christian life, the only need is to keep moving in the right direction. There are plenty of times when I haven't even managed that. Had I been condemned or rejected I would not be here now!
1Th 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
This is the recipe for living in peace, but it goes deeper than that. You've heard the expression “Don't get mad, get even”, I'm sure. In the Christian life neither getting mad, nor getting even is an option. When you accept Christ into your life any “rights” that you may have had in this area must be given up.
It means the end of the fear of reprisals, blood feuds and vendettas. It's the start of genuinely living in peace.
1Th 5:16 Be joyful always;
1Th 5:17 pray continually;
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
How can I be joyful when I get out of the bed the on the wrong side, let alone when more serious problems occur in life. Here's a blog someone wrote on this verse, its called
“When God says always does He really mean ALWAYS?
Like ALL the time?
No matter what?
Without exception?
Every time?
Every circumstance?
Could He possibly mean THAT?
I mean- how is that even possible. Today I woke up with the remains of a migraine that will not quite go away and that has interposed on my sleep for two nights. Was I supposed to be joyful for THAT?
This afternoon I was ready to strangle someone I love very much. Someone I have cared and nurtured for many years. Was I supposed to be joyful THEN?
When I got home a car wouldn't start and we had to jump it. Was i supposed to be joyful THEN?
When I finally got inside, out of the cold wind (was I supposed to be joyful when I was cold?) and was met at the door with a "We have something to tell you" and the look from the supervising sibling that communicated that serious parental intervention was required. Then? Was I supposed to be joyful THEN?
REALLY?
Yes. Really! I was. Supposed to be that is. I wasn't. Joyful I mean.
How could God expect me to feel joy in all these circumstance? Uh- well- I guess He didn't command me to feel anything. He really just commanded me to BE something and He was gracious enough to tell me how.
Praying continually. Being thankful.
If I am supposed to be praying continually then it must mean that I am going to need a lot more of God and a lot less of me in order to be joyful.
And if I am "giving thanks in all thing" I am going to be awfully busy. In fact I will have little time left over for feeling sorry for myself or feeling angry at mistakes or envious of another's abundance.
So I think I better have a "do over" today- Thank you Lord for the headache: thank You that I have to slow down, and for medicine that can work, and family that cares that I am in pain.
Thank you Lord for the mistake of my child: thank You for the opportunity for a lesson to be learned, and thank You for ready solutions, and thank you for the opportunity I will have to apologize when he gets home, and thank You for love that covers a multitude of sins.
Thank You Lord for a car with a bad battery: thank You for a responsible son who doesn't expect me to fix everything for him, and thank You for jumper cables, and thank You for a car at all and that it still runs after 180,000 miles.
Thank You for the cold wind: I like sweaters.
Thank you Lord for my young child and her sins: thank You for the chance to share how You hate lies, and thank You that You hate lies, and thank You for creative ideas, and thank You for a big sister who cares for her younger sister, and thank You that I was with her for this valuable lesson.
Thank You that I do not have feel happy to BE joyful.”
1Th 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;
1Th 5:20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
Some of the men from Christ Church recently attended the CVM mens day called “Iron Sharpens Iron”. Carl Beech, who used to be at the Baptist Church, told a story that illustrates why we should listen to Gods spirit and never reject what He is saying to us.
He'd been doing door to door evangelism. At one house the woman had be very abusive and told him to get lost. You can imagine the language! Some time later he was walking down the same street and the spirit said “knock on that door”. Carl was not impressed, but he knocked on the door as an act of obedience. He received much the same response as the previous time. A while later, and walking down that same road again he heard “knock on that door”. This time the act of obedience was much harder to perform than the last time – but the result was very different. He was invited in! She explained that she had been preparing to kill her self when he first called and that God had been speaking to her about his next visit!
The Holy Spirit speaks into our lives in many different ways, recently, on our weekend away we were assured of God's love for all of us. This is prophecy – God speaking to us – it is intended to make a difference, just as predictions of the future are intended – mostly – not to come true!
1Th 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
Scripture!, Scripture! Scripture!
It's the only place we can go to find out if the messages we are receiving really do come from God, or whether the enemy is conning us.
My DIYers Bible contains everything you need to know to repair and improve your home – except mine doesn't talk about plastic water pipes because it was written in the seventies and things change.
People don't; God doesn't. The Bible was written 2000+ years ago and is just as relevant now as it was then!
1Th 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Run Away!
This is the only thing the Bible tells you not to get involved in something.
1Th 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Jesus is faithful. He has already done it! He has made it possible for you to be at peace with God. Through His death on the cross our sins can be forgiven and our relationship with the Holy one restored. Through his resurrection we are shown the life to come.
1Th 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
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