Some Christmas thoughts

I was walking Gypsy our Border Collie along Paton Road the other morning and at one stage smelt one of those delightful summertime smells – (I think it was honeysuckle). It brought back memories of times in the past.

I guess zooming through the years in my mind made me think about life and about being human and the enjoyment and pleasure we all have in this world. All of us have smiled and laughed in the last wee while.

Life – yes it has it downsides but oh life is good – there are so many more upsides. Working in the garden, going for a stroll, listening to the water flow down a stream falling over rock, watching a mother care for her toddler at the mall or in the park, the smell of a baby’s head, the sweet flavour of a creamy boysenberry gelato – life has so many blessings.

And what is more, we in Christ have the added bonus knowing that there is more to life that meets the eye. We have this knowledge that the giver of life also has given us peace with Him. The shackles of the fear of death or the uncertainty of being considered of value or loved have been blown apart by what God did at Christmas. There is no need to be burdened by the fears that too many people experience. In Christ there is a level of freedom, of contentment and of fulfilment that can only come from God. A gift – freely and all knowingly given – God’s wonderful grace.

As I walked along the road this morning I marvelled at the grace of God. With God being all knowing (and all the other omni’s), and therefore ahead of time foreknew what I (what we, what humanity) would be like with our amazing ability to be selfish and whatnot, it makes God’s Christmas actions all the more astounding.

Knowingly God the Son put aside his crown and glory and “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2: 6-8).

This Bible verse speaks of both Christmas and Easter – but lets focus on the Christmas side that Christ “taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” So that we can enjoy life to a deeper and fuller level, not only enjoy that which is around us but also experiencing peace with God, experiencing hearing that small still voice. Oh Blessed Be God. Think to the song we sing sometimes in church - He has brought us this far by His grace.

V1 He has brought us this far by His grace
He has led by fire and by cloud
He will bring us to Zion
to look on His face
O blessed, O blessed be God…
Blessed be God, blessed be God
O blessed, O blessed be God


V2 He has sheltered us under His wings
And He planned every path that we’ve trod
To bring us to Zion, His praises to sing
O blessed, O blessed be God…
Blessed be God, blessed be God
O blessed, O blessed be God.
[By Bonnie Low, © 1977]

May God be with all St. David’s folk and your families this season of Christmas and summer holidays.

From Vivienne, the children and I – thank you so much for your prayers, love and support. May you know the deep peace of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as you live and move and have your being. God Bless, Jon.

let us pray

a verse or two
“Are any among you in trouble? They should pray…are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders … prayer made in faith will heal the sick…the prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.” James 5:13ff

Spiritual Walk and Musings: Lets Pray.
We end our journey through the letter of James—and James directs us to prayer. And right now in NZ, prayer is something needed. I’m thinking of the miners, their families and the rescuers. Be encouraged to pray as it does work. 

"More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of.
Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God." [Tennyson]

There are many folk within our church family facing difficulty. Do pray for them. As James says in the reading above – the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

To Ponder and Pray: A prayer by Richard Foster.

Dear Jesus, how desperately I need to learn to pray. And yet, when I am honest I know that I often do not even want to pray. 
I am distracted!
   I am stubborn! 
        I am self-centred! 
In your mercy, Jesus, bring my ‘want-er’ more in line with my ‘need-er’ so that I can come to want what I need.
In your name and for your sake, I pray. Amen