Downsizing! That's the word we want
to tell what we've been through,
giving up our Knightsbridge pad
for a flat in Waterloo,
where the folk in cardboard boxes
are our neighbours in dire need;
we've come to show them the love of Christ,
not just in word, but deed!
He showed us how it should be done
when he came from heaven to earth;
downsizing in a massive way
to arrive through human birth.
The Son of God made just like us;
they call it ‘incarnation',
God's love at work in a human frame
- the Christmas celebration!
That first verse, by the way, is not a description of what has happened to me. It is an imaginary scenario that reflects what a number of people have done in responding to Christ’s love and the needs of people they encounter in life on Earth. Some have quite literally sold up and moved among the people they feel called to serve. Some have gone to other parts of the world in order to share the love of Christ, sinking their whole lives into the endeavour. No doubt, you can think of some current examples.
Let’s finish by thinking about the stable scene in Bethlehem. Mary looking at Jesus with a mother’s love for her firstborn child, and with deep thoughts about how different their lives would be from here on. Joseph, still with Gabriel’s words ringing in his ears, already slipping into the role of being father to God’s Son. The shepherds, alive with excitement and looking with wonder at the little baby whose future was to be so big. The Magi, kneeling before the one they know is destined to be more than a king, worshipping him in a manner that befitted their religion and understanding. It’s good for us to join them all around the manger, giving thanks and praise to God for the gift of his only Son.
The Lord bless you today, and then as you move into the new year. Whatever it holds for you, if you’ve stood in the stable today, you will know that God will be with you and nothing is impossible with him.
We began our journey with that promise. We’ve seen how it happened for these characters.
The question we now have to face and work through is,
‘Will it be true for me?’
There’s only one way to find out - trust him; he’s as good as his word.
Happy New Year!
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Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 04
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 03
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 02
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 01
Church Leadership 12 - God and the leadership team
Church Leadership 11 - What happens when it all goes wrong?
Church Leadership 10 - Marks of a good leader
Church Leadership 09 - Called to leadership
Church Leadership 08 - Example of Stephen
Church Leadership 07 - What can we learn from Timothy
Church Leadership 06 - New Testament Leadership Part 2
Church Leadership 05 - New Testament Leadership Part 1
Church Leadership 04 - Old Testament Leadership Part 2
Church Leadership 03 - Old Testament Leadership Part 1
Church Leadership 02 - Understanding the jargon
Church Leadership 01 - Who's in charge?
When Jesus Returns As King - Revelation 21 to 22 - Bible Thought
Leviticus 18 & 19 - Joy Get Its Hands Dirty - Partakers Bible Thought
Leviticus 16 - A God of Joy and His people - Partakers Bible Thought
Leviticus 9-10 - Obedient Service of God - Partakers Bible Thought
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