Greetings to you all as we head into holidays. 2020 has been a year of fear and uncertainty for many, a year that has made us acutely aware of our human frailty, a year that has reminded us of how little control we really have. As we head into the Christmas season, the global pandemic continues to disrupt our plans for gathering with loved ones and taking a long looked forward to break.
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Having said that, in many ways God has been kind to us here in Australia. We enjoy stable government, and our elected leaders have acted wisely to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Widespread rain has finally broken the prolonged drought. Our rivers are flowing, our dams are filling, and the countryside is looking wonderfully green and productive again. It's right to pause at Christmas and thank God for his goodness to us for these blessings and many more, which we often take for granted.
But Christmas is also a time to remember God's kindness to us at another level. Just over two thousand years ago when the angel announced to shepherds outside of Bethlehem, "Today in the city of David a Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11), it was good news for them, but also good news for us! Here in Australia we understand our need for a saviour in certain circumstances. If we're being pulled out to sea by a rip we long to see a saviour clad in red and yellow, paddling out on a rescue board. If our house is threatened by a bush-fire we long to see a saviour in a fire truck ready to quench the flames. If we're in lock down due to a pandemic we long to see a saviour in a white lab coat emerge triumphant with an effective vaccine.
However, Jesus is a Saviour of another kind again. His rescue is not from external threats but from a sin problem that resides in the hearts of us all. We don't hear much talk of sin these days. The idea that God our creator has set boundaries in place for our own good as human beings and that we have ignored them doesn't seem to concern too many. The problem is that when we ignore God and His instructions on how to treat each other, things tend to go pear-shaped. Our natural tendency towards selfishness threatens our relationships not just with other people, but with God as well. The reality is that every one us is guilty of sin. Having turned our backs on the God who gives us all good things we are in danger of facing God's judgement and in desperate need of his rescue.
Thank God for sending Jesus the Saviour! At Christmas we remember that God the Son came into our world on a rescue mission. Born as a baby, He grew up to be the man who died on the cross. In His death He took the punishment our sins deserved, in His resurrection He proved the price was fully paid and secured the certainty of forgiveness and eternal life for those who would come to Him. This Christmas, let's thank God for Jesus. Let's trust Him as our Saviour, and worship Him as our Lord.
Yours in Christ, Rod Chiswell.
