This third week of Advent takes as its theme ‘love.’ Love is at the heart of Christmas; ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) I love the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas. I enjoy choosing gifts for people; I like wrapping them up in pretty paper and adorning them with bows and ribbons. Even though my house is currently overrun by presents, bagged up and waiting to be delivered, I still love everything that is associated with gifts. But the reason we give gifts at Christmas is wrapped up in a simple verse found in a passage where Paul advises generosity to Christians: ‘Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!’ (2 Cor 9:15) We give gifts because God has given us the greatest gift of all in His Son, Jesus.

We can, of course, give gifts for a variety of reasons. We can give them out of duty or obligation, because we feel we have to. We can give them because we hope that in giving the gift, we will receive one in return (the quid pro quo system which seems to reflect the world’s way of doing things.) We can give grudgingly or with no thought at all, buying what we like rather than thinking about what the other person likes or needs. But we can also give gladly, joyfully, wanting to please someone else, choosing a gift with thought and consideration and care.

God gives because He is love. (1 John 4:8) His motivation for all that He does is love, and therefore it is worth taking time this week to consider the true nature of love (see 1 Corinthians 13) and to understand that love gives in a whole variety of ways (not necessarily through gifts.)

The Magi’s arrival in Jerusalem inadvertently (so far as they were concerned) set off a chain reaction of enmity and hostility, for Herod, when he realised they were not going to return and tell him of the whereabouts of the Messiah, devised a radical plan to kill all possible contenders to the throne. (Matt 2:11-18) Once again, we see how the arrival of Jesus appeared not to bring peace at all, but to spark hatred and murder.

The Christmas story is often portrayed in saccharine and diluted form. “It’s for the children,” people say, embellishing the story with fantasies of Father Christmas and elves. We sing about baby Jesus never crying and make it sound like a fairy story, but the truth is that Jesus was born in a strange town in less-than-ideal conditions and that His family had to flee to Egypt to avoid being killed by a ruthless king who was happy to murder innocent children to satisfy his lust for power. Revelation 12 tells the story in far more vivid form, reminding us that there is an enemy (here portrayed by a dragon) who wanted to get rid of Jesus before He could carry out His peace-making mission. The Christmas story is not just for children. It is for the whole world, reminding us that peace comes with a price. We are reconciled to God through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 5:21) Jesus had to die for our sins in order to bring us peace; the baby of Bethlehem would become our Saviour through His sinless life and perfect sacrifice.

I’m always intrigued by what the Bible does not tell us as well as by what it does! Matt 2:1-12 gives us the story of the Magi travelling to greet a new-born King. We do not know who these ‘wise men’ were; they are often depicted as kings in our Nativity stories (probably because of the expensive gifts they brought with them), but we actually don’t know who they were, how many they were or if they rode on camels, despite the prevalence of these views in our cards and plays! Nor do we know why they decided to travel so far to pay homage to a new-born king in a foreign country or why they did this based on astronomical facts alone (a star to guide them.) We don’t know when they arrived, but it’s unlikely Mary had to deal with shepherds and wise men all on the same night (for which she was, as a new mother, probably profoundly grateful.)

What is clear, however, from the narrative is that their arrival in Jerusalem caused a kerfuffle. We can understand why they went there (a palace is a logical place for a king to be born.)  But for both the Magi and Herod and his advisors, their arrival brought chaos, not peace: ‘When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.’ (Matt 2:3)

Jesus upsets the status quo. He ruffles our feathers. He reminds us that peace is not possible unless He is factored into the equation, and many of us want to leave God out of our lives and run things ourselves. We like being in control. We like being in charge.

Peace, however, can only come if the Prince of Peace is in our lives. Without Him, we are without hope and without God; we need to invite Him into our lives if we are to know true and lasting peace.

The Christmas story moves from the actual birth of Jesus (narrated in just two verses) to some of the most unexpected visitors imaginable. (Luke 2:8-20) Shepherds were the equivalent of our key workers, I suspect: they had to work no matter what, in conditions that were often not particularly peaceful or restful. They were not highly regarded in society, and yet their work was essential.  These ordinary people were visited by an angel of the Lord, bringing news that ‘today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’ (Luke 2:11)

As if that were not amazing enough, suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.’ (Luke 2:14)

It was not to the high and mighty that these angels appeared with a message of peace, joy and hope. It was to ordinary shepherds, whom many despised. God has a habit of choosing ordinary people whom others would ignore or despise. (1 Cor 1:26-28). This in itself is reason to hope and cheer!