Yesterday morning we held our Nativity Service and this year it was an All-Age Nativity with various members of the congregation coming forward to be dressed up as Angels, Shepherds, Wise Men and of course, Mary and Joseph. Once dressed in suitable costume, they then perambulated around the church (Wow! That's a great word for this time on a Monday morning!)
Everyone who took part volunteered to do so when asked, no prior warning having been given, and the results were great. There was a happy feel to the whole of the Service, and the Christmas Story was read as the tableau was gradually formed, the whole happening adding a slightly new twist to what must surely be one of the simplest and yet most wonderful stories ever told.
The story of the birth of Christ, despite the many inaccuracies that have crept in over the years regarding the date, the condition of the stable, snow on snow, in the bleak mid-Winter, etcetera, is still in essence the greatest story ever told. It tells of an event that changed the world for ever, when God Himself came down to earth to begin His great plan of Redemption.
The birth of Jesus, the promised Christ, is a story of love and justice. Love because for God to put Himself and Jesus through all that was to take place was an act of unconditional, sacrificial love, placing the salvation and redemption of repentant sinners foremost. Justice, because God hates all sin and demands the highest penalty for it, which is the life of the sinner. Sacrifice, because when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary it was in the place of every sinner. He paid the price for sin, once and for all.
Since then, anyone who was truly repentant of the sin in their lives could, by confessing their sin and believing on Jesus as their Saviour and acknowledging Him as their Lord, be redeemed to God. It is the only true way to God. Jesus Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
As we smiled yesterday at the efforts of the shepherds struggling to don their costumes, and at the wise men whose arthritic knees made kneeling in obeisance to the Babe a humorous sight, so our minds were focused on the real reason for the story. All in all it was a glad and happy experience, but also one which left us feeling closer and more grateful to God the Father.
Everyone who took part volunteered to do so when asked, no prior warning having been given, and the results were great. There was a happy feel to the whole of the Service, and the Christmas Story was read as the tableau was gradually formed, the whole happening adding a slightly new twist to what must surely be one of the simplest and yet most wonderful stories ever told.
The story of the birth of Christ, despite the many inaccuracies that have crept in over the years regarding the date, the condition of the stable, snow on snow, in the bleak mid-Winter, etcetera, is still in essence the greatest story ever told. It tells of an event that changed the world for ever, when God Himself came down to earth to begin His great plan of Redemption.
The birth of Jesus, the promised Christ, is a story of love and justice. Love because for God to put Himself and Jesus through all that was to take place was an act of unconditional, sacrificial love, placing the salvation and redemption of repentant sinners foremost. Justice, because God hates all sin and demands the highest penalty for it, which is the life of the sinner. Sacrifice, because when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary it was in the place of every sinner. He paid the price for sin, once and for all.
Since then, anyone who was truly repentant of the sin in their lives could, by confessing their sin and believing on Jesus as their Saviour and acknowledging Him as their Lord, be redeemed to God. It is the only true way to God. Jesus Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
As we smiled yesterday at the efforts of the shepherds struggling to don their costumes, and at the wise men whose arthritic knees made kneeling in obeisance to the Babe a humorous sight, so our minds were focused on the real reason for the story. All in all it was a glad and happy experience, but also one which left us feeling closer and more grateful to God the Father.
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