Year A Advent 4

Year A Advent 4

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 – Christmas – more than a fairy tale

Most of the world was saddened at the death of Nelson Mandela.

At a memorial ceremony recently held in his honour, a controversy erupted.

Standing alongside several world leaders including US President Barrack Obama was a person employed to interpret the speeches with sign language for the deaf.

It didn’t take long for news to come out that this person wasn’t actually signing what was being spoken.

When asked why he did what he did, he claimed that he heard voices that told him what to sign and even saw angels standing in front of him.

People have made the conclusion that this person is mentally unstable and should perhaps be institutionalised for what he has said and done.

People become sceptical when you start telling them about supernatural experiences

So, can you imagine what people thought of Joseph when he told his family and friends that his fiancé was pregnant with God’s Son and that an angel had told him this?

I wonder what people really think when we start telling the Christmas story about virgin births and angels.

One of the difficulties that faces the church, I believe, is that we have romanticised the Christmas story that it almost becomes a fairy tale.

It’s become a romantic love story of a young man and woman whose love for each other has seen them able to come together in marriage against the odds.

We see the lovely pictures of Mary and baby set in a scenery with Shepherds, Kings and animals all gathered around under the bright shining star paying their respects to this young romantic couple and their new born baby.

That’s what people want to see and hear on Christmas Eve but sadly it hides the stark reality of what really is happening and the grim reality of why it is happening.

Joseph and Mary’s relationship was against the odds.

Their struggle was against a strict Old Testament law that said that Mary should be stoned to death for her infidelity. (Leviticus 20:10-12)

Their birthing room was a stinking stable with smells that one can barely tolerate for any period of time.

Have you ever been in a shearing shed or walked through the show grounds to all the smells and noises?

Have you ever slept on hay in the cold outback let alone imagine what it must have been like giving birth?

Christmas is an amazing time.

I love the carols, the trimmings, the children’s plays and all the things that make it so special.

But we must also remember how significant it is what is actually happening.

The Son of God being born to a human woman.

The Islamic faith condemns Christianity for daring to believe that Mary could bear the Son of God:

“They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word of blasphemy, verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. (Qur'an 5:73)

And so the Muslim faith understands the significance of what Christmas is proclaiming~

And again the Quran writes: Christ Jesus the son of Mary was no more than a messenger of Allah; Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: (Quran 4:171)

What happened on that very first Christmas was not a romantic love story.

The birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation, is the full power and authority of Heaven descending upon the earth to prevent all of humanity being destroyed because of our sinfulness and disobedience to God.

And it happened in a way that was more dramatic than can ever be sung or acted out because it is unimaginable.

There is nothing romantic or playful about what is happening here, nor about what is about to happen – so much so that Herod puts to death all the children in the region under 2 years old just to protect his kingship. (Matthew 2:16)

As Christians we should treasure what is happening and never underestimate the power that is at play here.

God, the creator of heaven and earth and all that exists believes that the only way that he can save the world from oblivion is to send his own Son to be born as one of us.

We face strong opposition today from the world.

The world wants to remove Christ from Christmas.

They find it offensive.

It wants us to celebrate Happy Holidays or offer Seasons Greetings.

It wants Christmas Carols replaced with songs of Santa.

Tell the world you’re a Christian and you might find a similar response to that of Joseph when he told his family and friends that an angel told him that his fiancé is pregnant with God’s son.

But we must stand up and be proud about what we believe.

The reason God took such drastic measures 2000 years ago is still relevant today.

There are people not saved – in fact most of the world either rejects or does not know about Jesus Christ and that is a real concern for their eternal salvation.

The Christian message is not an easy message to deliver but God has provided us with an opportunity with the appeal that Christmas has to people.

Children love dressing up as angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph.

Adults don’t mind coming to church that once a year to begin their Christmas celebrations.

Carols by Candlelight are extremely popular with many councils funding community evenings and TV networks televising the publicly sold out carol evenings.

Let us use these as opportunities to teach so they don’t just become fairy tales and make believe.

It really did happen – and it happened for a reason.

God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save the world through him.

May God bless you as you celebrate Christmas with your friends and family but more so may Christmas draw you into a deeper and more fuller relationship with God who loves YOU so much that he sent his Son to save YOU.

The peace of God that surpasses our understanding, keep your hearts and minds forever in Christ Jesus. Amen.