Author: Carol Purves

Bethlehem

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When I visited Bethlehem a few years ago, the protective wall round the city was being constructed. On entering the city our coach was stopped and examined. The same thing happened when we left. At one stage the car I was travelling in, driven by a known Christian driver, was pelted with stones. The town itself was full of cheap knick-knacks. The supposed place where Jesus was born had become a tourist attraction.

My visit saddened me. The Saviour of the World did not seem to be present. ‘On little town of Bethlehem, how still we see you lie.’ Not when I was there. There was the sound of distant gun-fire. Prophetic, I suppose.

But still ‘the silent stars go by,’ and the message is still ‘peace on earth.’ Still ‘praises sing to God our King.’ and ‘peace to men on earth,’ if they will listen. The state of the world does not change the message. The God of Peace wants to give us peace., ‘where meek souls will receive Him.’ It is up to each one of to say and sing ‘O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.’

O Come All Ye Faithful

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This lovely Christmas Carol, thought to be have been written by John Francis Wade, is sometimes referred to by it’s Latin title – Adeste Fideles, though I imagine few of us could recite the rest of the carol in Latin. It is often sung at the beginning of Advent as it is an invitation to come, come and worship the King.

It is the faithful who are invited, those who believe in the uniqueness of His birth.(though I believe there is a version which says, ‘Come, all you unfaithful,’ for all are invited) We are invited to join in with the citizens of heaven above, those who have reached their destination and are waiting for us to join them. Yes, we mostly have to adjust the final verse from – ‘Born that happy morning’ unless we are singing on Christmas Day.

‘God of God, Light of Light, begotten, not created.’ God was never created, He just was, is and will be. In this carol every verse concludes with the words ‘O come, let us adore, Him, Christ the Lord.’ An invitation for us to worships once again. May the wonder of this time never fade from our minds or become ordinary. ‘Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels.’ And king of our lives as well.

Do Church

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Do we do church each Sunday or do we meet with the Lord? At this special season of Christmas do the words of scripture we hear so often year after year go over our heads in their familiarity? We’ve heard them so many times before, does the actual meaning of the words sink into our minds? We probably know the words off by heart, even if we use a different biblical version.

To be christened Joy could be a burden if we’re feeling sad. Joy by name, joy by nature won’t always be the case. My name Carol can also be a burden, I’m not noted for my lovely singing voice! But the names Jesus was given to proclaim His nature and calling – Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We can say the right things at the Carol Service, even smile at the vicar’s wife but our hearts can remain untouched. It was Jesus Himself who told us that the outward appearances are not important, it is what is in the heart. It is our hearts that God sees and is interested in.

May the very core of our hearts be close to God. At Christmas He came to us, may we now come to Him.

Wiped Clean

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With the coming of Jesus we all have the chance to wipe the slate clean. Every slate has become pretty mucky. Past sin resolved or unresolved, friendships destroyed or unforgiven guilt. These things all mar our present and future.

It is the coming of Jesus who paid the debt on our behalf which makes all the difference. No longer do we need to be broken by the past. Our sins are as far away as the east is from the west. See Ps 103:12. Jesus has paid the debt completely. We are now as white as snow. Not the soiled snow after it has been trampled on, but virgin snow, sparkling white.

Yesterday

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An African proverbs says,’ Yesterday is another country. I no longer live there.’

Our worries and sins of the future can blight our present and future. But the past is past, dead and gone. Any sins of the past can’t be rectified, only learned from. Dwelling on the past will not change a thing. God says,’ See I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it.’ Is 43:19. God doesn’t want us to dwell in the past, He wants us to see beyond those things.

We are not the same people we were in the past. Circumstances are not the same. Through the birth of Jesus we see there is a new way. He is a new beginning. Nothing was ever the same again after His birth. Time turned on it’s axis. The old order of the law had passed away, the new had begun through Jesus Christ. No wonder the angels sang, the shepherds worshipped and the wise men travelled all to celebrate this momentous event.

Our worship at Christmas is just the continuation of their worship. The story has never dulled, the trust never diminished. ‘Glory to the new born King.’

Everlasting Justice

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The governments of this world so often only offer hollow promises, power games, deceit or corruption. By contrast God’s government offers sustainability, justice, and righteousness. Isaiah 9:7 tells us ‘He will reign on David’s throne and on His kingdom and over His kingdom establishing and uplifting it with with justice and righteousness from that time and for ever.’

It seems round the world at the moment some countries have dictators, some have evil wars and some have weak leaders. Faith in government seems to be at an all time low. We long for God’s justice to come where the vulnerable will not be exploited, the handicapped will not be overlooked and the poor will no longer be in need.

This is something that we can pray for. ‘Thy kingdom come,’ we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. We can be horrified at the injustices in the world that we see, but do not let us concentrate but concentrate of God of Everlasting Justice. In His time, not ours, justice will be done and seen to be done.

Prince of Peace

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‘He will be called the Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6

I’ve just been reading the brilliant book by C.S. Lewis ‘The Screwtape Letters.’ It takes the form of a series of letters by the devil Screwtape to his nephew, and protege Wormwood. Both were intent on thwarting God’s plans and designs. It is fascinating and worrying to see how easily humans can be led astray. The devil wants war, confusion and control of mankind. God wants love and peace. Looking at history it’s plain to see how this tussle has continued throughout the generations. We think of the many wars round the world today and weep for those killed, maimed, bereaved, with millions of livelihoods shattered. People tell me that it is religion that brings war. Actually religions do bring war, but Christianity brings peace. Religion is the outward signs, Christianity is from the heart. Our God is the Prince of Peace.

But let’s not look at the world, let’s look at ourselves. As we are made in God’s image we should be bringers of peace. Are we friendly and generous towards our neighbours? Many of them are in need if only we look. What about our relations? Do we get on well with them in spite of our differences? Do we spread gossip and malice? The beatitudes call on us to be peace-makers.

A Mighty God

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‘My God is a mighty God and He holds me in His hand.’ Jo & Nigel Hemmings. This quote from a popular old song is probably based on Isaiah 9:6

At Christmastime we can imagine Jesus as the helpless baby lying in the manger of straw. But in fact He is so powerful that a star in the sky heralds His birth, the shepherds left their jobs to admire Him, many baby boys were killed and the very way we count time has been changed for ever. Our God is a Mighty God!

He was a helpless baby yet with all the power of heaven. When He was crucified, earthquakes tore through the air, the tombs gave up their dead and as He died the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. Of the baby it was later said at His death, ‘Surely He was the Son of God.’ The birth of Jesus was the turning point of history. Our God is a Mighty God!

The Jewish people couldn’t even say His name, they used the word ‘Yahweh instead. Yes, He is our Friend but we can’t find the words to describe his splendour. Our hymn-makers have tried to find the words, ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes.’ by Walter C. Smith. Our God is a Mighty God!

Everlasting Father

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Some of us have not been blessed by having good fathers to be our role models. Some have grown up without having fathers in their lives at all. It is therefore difficult to know how to be good fathers themselves. Also these upbringings can affect our attitude to God in His role of being a good father. Our perfect Father is there to help us and to guide us, though at times His discipline will not be welcome. But God always wants the best for us so we need His directing.

In the same way we are meant to be role-models for others whether we be male or female, whether we are fathers, mothers, aunts or uncles. If we have no youngsters of our own we can be teachers, Sunday School teachers or leaders of the youth. With guidance from God, this is something we all can do.

We can learn something about our Everlasting Father from the story of the Prodigal Son. The younger son did not deserve the love of his father in any way. He had disgraced and torn apart the family. He had forfeited his rights yet his father forgave him absolutely and welcomed him. With our heavenly Father his love is unconditional and everlasting, surviving through time and eternity. Nothing can break that union.

Wonderful Counsellor

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‘He will be called ‘mighty Counsellor. Isaiah 9:6

All through our lives we need counsellors, someone or a company to advise us, whether in our personal lives or in our business lives. These people will be specialists in their own sphere but not of much help on other matters.

Our Wonderful Counsellor is proficient in everything, reliable and without fault, as we read in Isaiah 9. He loves us and also cares for us. Jesus didn’t come to this earth to make us feel better about ourselves, but to make us better citizens fit for the kingdom of God. On occasions we will be let down by these people whose job it is to help us. What we all need is someone to help or guide us always.

we won’t always like His counsel, it will sometimes be demanding but it will point us in the right direction. We need His counselling and so does the world. Wars could be over, poverty eliminated and the sick receive compassion, if people would only listen to His voice. Wisdom was the one thing King Solomon asked for. He knew that God was the Wonderful Counsellor. The voice of wisdom was the thing that the early disciples desperately needed as they told the world about Jesus.