Change the Stars

Preached at Christ Church, Billericay 24 Dec 2017 23:30

New Babies

New babies are always exciting.  We’ve recently had an addition to the Fisher clan, when Elizabeth gave birth to Thomas about 12 weeks ago.  After a very short time we were telling the world, anyone who would listen, that we have a new grandson.  Of course he’d been expected for a while, and we’d been telling people about his coming.

After his birth ...

All the details – big, weight etc
After all this we naturally begin to see who he looks like – that changes quite quickly – after the first weeks we could clearly see Ray (his dad) in him.
Babies are a blank canvas – they could develop into anyone – a genius, a hero, a talented sportsman, an A-list celebrity, the speculation begins almost immediately.  Of course some things are more likely than others – it depends a lot on the inherited traits from the father and mother, and also how the child is bought up.

Born to …

In the case of some babies we already know what they will be when they grow up.  Their destiny is set for them.  Prince George, for example, will one day be king, just like his father Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his grandfather Charles, Prince of Wales.
Each of their births was greeted with a huge amount of publicity so that we all knew that the succession was secure.
As Shakespeare said “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Most of us though will not do anything in our lives that the world will find remarkable.  Our destiny is to be average and unremarkable.  I doubt any one will write my biography when I’m gone, it just wouldn’t be that interesting.  Perhaps they’d call it Born to be average.
Many, of course, are born into poverty and their destiny is to stay that way for their entire lives.

God’s Son

This baby though is a different prospect altogether, but His parents are just as excited by His birth as any other parents.  So much so that His father has been going on about it for thousands of years.  We heard just one of the prophecies in the Old Testament reading, then there is the announcement.  An angel lighting up the sky, telling the shepherds “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”. Then a whole host of angels appear praising God and telling the shepherds what good news it is.

Arrangements

So much has had to be arranged – a census to force his earthly mother to visit the right town is perhaps the simplest.  Look in the previous chapter and you will find the story of Elizabeth and birth of John the Baptiser, all timed to perfection.  Look in Matthew and you will read about the star put up to guide the Magi to visit the child.  If you want to know how God works in His world read through the accounts of Jesus birth and see how all the pieces fitted together – that was not luck, or coincidence – that was God’s careful planning.

What’s it all for?

All this is because the birth is not only the most important birth in history, but also because it is the Son of God, born as a man.  This was recognised by the prophet Simeon in the temple when the baby Jesus was taken there for the purification rites as required by the Law of Moses.  Simeon said “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Jesus destiny, or at least part of it, is clear right from the start.

Shared Destiny

All of us, Jesus included, share one destiny.  I remember sitting in a training class a long time ago, and the trainer asked “What MUST you do?” We thought about it for a bit.  “Pay Taxes” someone said. “No” she replied, there are consequences to not paying taxes, but it’s your choice.”
Breath was the next idea, but that too is a choice albeit a much more difficult one.  The only thing we must do is die.  We are all born to die – that cannot be avoided.
Everything else though is optional.
Cannot avoid sinning?
[Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8artJcUSEo
That was a clip from “A knight’s Tale” where William asks “Can it be done father, can a man change the stars?”  His father replies “Yes William, if he believes enough a man can do anything?”

Belief

I’m sure that statement is encouraging for a child, but for an adult it provokes at least two question:
“Believe in what?” and “How much belief is enough?”
The film’s answer to “Believe in what?” is believe in yourself.  William does go on to become a knight, partly with the help of his father, but also by taking the opportunities (legal or otherwise) that are presented.
To the question “How much belief is enough?” the answer seems to be that only absolute belief is sufficient.

Our own efforts

There are some things though, that belief in ourselves and our own efforts cannot help us with.  When we are stood in front of God and asked to give an account of ourselves, we will inevitably fall short, and fail to pass the test.  When everything we have ever done is brought into the open, and our motivations exposed, none of us will have lived up to Gods perfect standards.

Important Birth

That is why this birth that we are commemorating today is so important and such good news.  Jesus, God’s son, was born as a man and his destiny was to die for our failings, our selfishness – all the things that are separating us from God.  All the things that would prevent us from gaining eternal life.  Jesus has paid the price for us, so that we, when we stand in front of God, have our names already written in the Book of Life, and will be granted Eternal Life.
All we have to do is to accept that He died for us, and believe, not in ourselves, but in Him, and that belief will save us, that belief, more than any other will change the stars forever.