Last night’s sermon looks at how Christmas lasts. It’s easy after Christmas to be struck by the Christmas slump, when the combination of exhaustion and overeating makes us feel as though we never want to move again!

Christmas slumpAs we survey our gifts (and all the strewn wrapping-paper), we can have a number of different reactions. Some gifts are short-lived (like the plastic toys in Christmas crackers). Others are readily consumed (like the chocolates which don’t last long!) Other gifts may break easily or may even make us feel bewildered: what on earth is that for?! Other gifts are so well-loved that they eventually wear out.

Other gifts may seem insignificant at first, however, but soon become extremely important or significant to us. Tommy Emmanuel was given a guitar at the age of four, but his family probably little realised the influence this would have on him, shaping him into a world-famous guitarist (listen to him play ‘Classical Gas’ here!) God’s gift of Jesus contains all the promises of God – far more than seemed probable at face value, for the first Christmas was largely unnoticed and unremarkable, yet was actually pivotal in the whole of history.

Christmas was the time when God’s promise of a Saviour and Deliverer was first seen on earth. (Gal 4:4) Rom 5:1-5 reminds us that this salvation includes access to grace (including common grace and saving grace), hope (which does not disappoint us or put us to shame), and peace (which primarily refers to peace with God, since we were by nature enemies of God) and gives us access to all that God has for us.

Christmas lasts far beyond the twelve days traditionally associated with that festival. However, for us to enter into all that God has for us, we have to allow Him access to every recess of our hearts and surrender totally, trusting that He has our best interests at heart and is working all things together for good. The best New Year’s resolution we can make is to give Him total control of our lives and live in the reality of Christmas all year round.

Our final birthday slot of the year was also celebrated:

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