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A student survey conducted at one of our local schools determined that young people see the church as being full of old people and pews. And they think that the pews have to go. There’s some good news in that survey, they didn’t say the old people should go, only the pews.
Think for a moment: How does their perception match reality?
We might immediately begin to defend the pews. They've been good enough for generations. They keep us awake. They haven’t killed anyone.
Or we might be offended that they’ve labelled us as old. We might argue that we’re not nearly as old as our grandparents were at the same age.
We might want to join James and John to ask Jesus whether we should call down fire from heaven and destroy them.
But before we get too defensive, these young people are crying out for the church to recognise and value them. They don’t think the church cares about them, they don’t think we care. They think the church is only interested in the people who’re already involved, which to them means old people.
I wonder whether they’re any different to those of any age who aren’t connected to our churches. Would the whole ‘unchurched’ and 'previously-churched’ community agree that we don’t care. Would they contend that we’re only interested in ourselves.
If we’re so busy polishing and defending our pews then they have to go. If there’s anything in our church that uses up our time at the expense of living our lives for Jesus then it has to go.
Even more urgently we have to go. Not leave the church, the community of God’s people, but go with the good news that because God loves and cares for every single person in this world so do we.
“As you go”, Jesus says, “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus cares about this because he has ‘skin-in-the-game’. He died for each and every one we encounter as we go about our lives.
How do we, as individuals and a church, need to change so that no one in our community will feel that we don’t care about them?
Why Me?
by Jonathan Krause
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And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? (Luke 1:43)
Read Luke 1:39–45
What a wonderful Christmas reading this is. So full of joy. The baby John in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth. Mary, no doubt. And, of course, you and me, reading this, knowing the child they are talking about is Jesus, God’s gift to our world. What’s interesting to me is Elizabeth’s words, ‘And why has this happened to me?’
Normally, when you hear someone say this, they are discussing something bad that has happened to them. The post that jumped into their rear bumper as they reversed out of a car park. The shopping bag full of cans that split and spilled. The police officer who just happened to be waiting, with a speed gun poised, as they failed to slow down to the required 60 kilometres per hour upon entering a town. You probably have your own examples you can add.
On a more serious level, we can ask the ‘Why me?’ questions when the doctor shares a sudden cancer diagnosis. When a favourite family member passes on. When a child or friend is suddenly upset with you, for no reason you can find.
Why has this happened to me?
It seems we ask the same question far less often when something wonderful happens. We may think we deserve it. We might say, ‘About time.’ Or we might just consider it normal.
In social media, research shows that negative news spreads far faster than positive news. That can lead to what my son (and his generation) call ‘doomscrolling’: going from one negative social media post to the next. Never realising you are getting more and more numbed to the ‘bad’ you see and, therefore, need even worse bad news to have the same impact. Wow, I sound like an old codger there, don’t I?! If you still watch TV news, as I do – though often with gritted teeth – you’ll know the balance between negative and positive news is statistically 90 per cent negative.
So, today, my encouragement to you, and my goal for myself, is that we do the opposite. Share some good news to counter the bad. Offer up the best news of all: what the birth of Jesus means for our lives – and that when we do, we are as excited as Elizabeth and as the baby growing in her womb jumping for joy.
Maybe this is why the gift of ‘Jesus happened to me’.
Lord, you know ‘Why me?’, even if sometimes I don’t. Fill me with the joy of Elizabeth, so I can share your good news with those around me who need it now. Amen.
Jonathan describes himself as: ‘Happy husband, proud dad and grandad, ALWS worker, story sharer, Magpie-mad’.
Jesus is the Light Christmas Day Read: John 9:4-5 Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 (NIV)
Once upon a time, in a land shrouded in winter’s darkness, there lived a young boy named Elias. His village was preparing for the annual Festival of Lights, a celebration of the longest night of the year, when the sun would begin its return. Elias, however, felt a deep sadness. His family had recently suffered a loss, and the festive lights seemed to mock his grief. One evening, as the first stars began to appear, Elias wandered away from the village. He found himself at the edge of a dark forest, feeling utterly alone. Suddenly, he noticed a faint light flickering in the distance. Following the light, he discovered a small, humble cottage. An old woman with kind eyes sat beside a crackling fire, her face illuminated by the flames.
“Why are you so sad, child?” she asked gently. Elias explained his sorrow. The old woman listened patiently, then smiled. “The lights of the Festival of Lights are meant to remind us that even in the darkest times, there is always a light within us, and there is always a light to guide us.” She pointed to the fire, then to the star-filled sky. “Just as those lights shine, so does the hope and love that God offers us.” She then told him the Christmas story: how the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, how she gave birth to Jesus, the Light of the World, in a stable, and how the star led the Wise Men to Bethlehem. She explained that Jesus’ birth brought hope and forgiveness, a light to guide people out of darkness and despair. When Elias returned to the village, he saw the lights in a new way. He joined in the festivities, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth with others and encouraging them to look for the light of Jesus coming to the world.
Elias now understood that Christmas wasn’t just about the lights that adorned the village, but about the light of God’s love, hope, and peace that shone within his heart. Bring the light of Jesus to someone’s life today! Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to share the story of Christmas bringing light and hope to other’s lives. Shine your light in my life that others may see you. Amen.
Light of Life Christmas Eve Read: John 8:12-16 “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV)
What an amazing promise by Jesus. Today is Christmas Eve and I am sure there is much preparation going on in your home. Some may be finishing work for a week or two to have time off over Christmas/New Year. Children would have finished school earlier, and I am sure that there is much excitement and anticipation for the Christmas dinner, the gifts, the family time. What a joy Christmas is to families whether Christian or not. However, the biggest difference is in knowing Jesus, His love, the hope of a future and the promises that come at the birth of Jesus. Christmas takes on a greater meaning and importance knowing Jesus. Isaiah foretold the coming Christ-child who would be born 700 years later, but described Him as “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Through different writers in the Bible, Jesus was also called: Immanuel, Messiah, Saviour, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life and in the passage above Jesus describes Himself as, “…the Light of the World.” To unpack each of these descriptions would make this devotion pages longer, but what we do need to know is that this little baby sent by God planned this from the beginning of time for the world’s salvation.
Jesus is God’s Son who was sent into the world to bring light to people’s lives in giving them the promise of an eternal future. Tonight, as you celebrate with family, make sharing with them the promised Saviour of the world a part of your celebrations. If you cannot go to celebrate with the local congregation, have your own little service by reading the story of the birth of Jesus from a Bible, maybe a child’s Bible.
Set up a nativity display and have the children make the scene as it is being read. Play a few Christmas carols and sing them as a family (perhaps some can play them on instruments). Light candles and share how God’s light has come into the world through Jesus. With Jesus there is no darkness! Prayer: My Saviour Jesus, the Light of the World, enter my heart this night and help me to share with family and friends the promise given with the birth of Jesus. You are my light and my life. Amen.