Hi everyone, it’s Mick here.  Welcome to Monday’s STC podcast in the week before Christmas.  Our Bible readings this week and into next week tell the Christmas story – the greatest story ever told, of the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God.  I’m delighted to say that you will hear some new podcast voices this week as Jack, Luke, Ruth and Abby, part of our STC staff team, share their reflections on the Christmas story.

We begin today with a familiar reading often heard at carol services: Isaiah 9:2-7.  There are two particular verses to focus on today, but let’s begin by hearing this Bible passage now, rather than at the end of this reflection.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

REFLECTION:

You will have heard me say many times at STC that “I love Christmas!” – I always have done; the trees, the lights, time for family and food, time for carols and gifts.  Last weekend at STC we held our annual Crookes Carols event with over 1000 people in our village square and over 900 then coming into the church for more carols, a deeply moving and original Nativity by our staff team (!) and a short talk on our theme of “Hope this Christmas”.  Our annual Christmas song this year was “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas” – a very nostalgic song in many ways.

So, I wonder what you are dreaming of this Christmas?  The perfect family Christmas with no stress or arguments?  (hmm….)  or perhaps a magical Christmas eve – or maybe this Christmas the hope of a new beginning for you and those you love.

Nearly 3000 years ago, a man called Isaiah had a dream.  Isaiah was a real person, married with a family.  He lived in the Middle East, in Jerusalem.  He was a wise man, he was a prophet.  Isaiah lived in a difficult time as the nation he loved was in decline.  There was talk of war, people were worried for their future, worried about their jobs and their families, these were dark and disturbing days.  Not dissimilar to the times we live in today, is it?

Isaiah had a dream – a prophecy.  He said this: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”  He went on to say that there was hope after all: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

A baby would come into our world and he would bring God’s love and light into our darkness.  He would bring God’s peace into our turmoil and conflict.  He would be Almighty God, coming into our broken and divided world as a baby.  He would be Jesus.

Isaiah had this wonderful dream – then nothing – but 700 years later his dream came true.

Many years ago I became a Christian.  The penny finally dropped for me.  I had a good and happy life but I knew it wasn’t a complete life.  Something was missing.  That something was God.  His forgiveness for the past, his peace now in the present, and his presence with me always into the future.  I realised that log fires, Christmas trees and the “Wonderful Life” of James Stewart in the snow faded away, but Jesus didn’t.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  The key to life is Jesus – the baby in the crib became the man on the cross who put me right with God.

This week as you listen to the Christmas story again in these podcasts and hear reflections from our staff team, let’s all prepare to receive Jesus afresh into our lives – because it’s only Jesus who brings Hope this Christmas.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for this week to remember again through these familiar Bible readings your coming into our world.  Help us prepare to receive you afresh.  Amen.

BIBLE READING: Isaiah 9:2-7

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.