The ‘V’ of ‘Advent’ reminds us of the value God places upon people. One of the most famous Bible verses tells us, ‘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) Christmas is all about celebrating the arrival of Jesus as God in human form. It’s all about Christ and the fact that God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.

Our society may question the value of human beings. Abortion and euthanasia both chip away at the sanctity of human life, a sanctity which comes directly from God. In recent times, governments seem to be intent on creating tiers of society through vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations against Covid-19, essentially dictating value based on a medical procedure. Such things surely are anathema to God, who placed such value on each one of us that He gave His only Son to be our Saviour. We didn’t deserve this; we certainly couldn’t hae earned it. Rom 5:8 reminds us that it’s whilst we were still sinners that Christ died for us. That’s why Christmas is so special and worth celebrating, because it reminds us of the value God Himself places on human life.

On our last day looking at devotion, Advent is a reminder that patience and faithfulness matter in God’s kingdom. God Himself is faithful to us: Heb 10:23 says, ‘he who promised is faithful.’ The faithfulness of God is seen at Christmas-time: God had promised a Deliverer, a Redeemer, from the fall of man (Gen 3:15), and in due time, He sent His Son ‘born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.’ (Gal 4:4-5)

Because God is faithful to us, He calls us to be faithful and devoted to Him. The Christmas story is full of people whose devotion to God is seen outworked in practical ways: Joseph and Mary’s obedience, Simeon and Anna’s faithfulness in attending the synagogue, the shepherds hurrying to see what the angels promised, the Magi travelling long distances to bring gifts to the new-born king.

How can we show our devotion to God? It might be giving food and toys to the Salvation Army foodbank. It might be spending time with a friend or someone who is lonely. It might be coming to church even if you don’t particularly feel like it! Devotion has many different forms, but God sees them all.

Christmas carols are an integral part of the Christmas season, but it can be hard for children sometimes to understand the vocabulary in them or what they are trying to teach. The classic carol ‘Joy To The World’ contains some important truths about salvation, and after listening to this version by Pentatonix, we looked at what this carol has to say about Jesus, reminding ourselves that truth really matters and that it’s important not only to sing, but to sing truth! (see Eph 5:18-20)

In verse 1, we are reminded that Jesus brings joy to the world (see John 15:11) – no wonder Christmas is seen as a time of celebration! Everyone gets excited when a baby is born, but when Jesus was born, this was an extra special time. Earth was receiving her King! Yet, as Luke 2:7 makes plain, there was no fanfare or preparation for this king’s visit; instead, there was no room for Him in Bethlehem. Now we are challenged to make room for Jesus: ‘let every heart prepare Him room.’

In verses 2 and 3, there is singing because ‘the Saviour reigns.’ The very name of Jesus means ‘the Lord saves’ (see Matt 1:21). The truth is that we all need a Saviour, a rescuer, a delivere,r because of the problem of sin, and we can be glad that Jesus saves and is reigning in both truth and grace. We need both. We can sing also because of ‘the glories of His righteousness’ – God always does what is right. The whole earth can sing because of these truths and we can rest also in ‘the wonders of His love.’ Sometimes, the repetition in song lyrics is vital to reinforce truth in our hearts. Nothing could be more wondrous than the love of God.

During this busy period of Advent, we should spend time singing songs that are built on truth (and not just those which paint an idyllic picture which is perhaps impossible to attain) and understand that preparing room for Jesus is the most important thing we can do to prepare for this season.

The second Sunday in Advent focuses on peace and Dave spoke this morning from John 14:27-29. Jesus spoke to His disciples promising to give them His peace. Even though the crucifixion lay immediately ahead of Him, Jesus could still speak of (and demonstrate) peace. He knew peace in the midst of turmoil, and because of this promise, we can know calm and assurance even when life is troubled.

Peace (Hebrew ‘Shalom’) indicates wholeness and satisfaction as well as the absence of hostilities. We have hope and assurance of peace because of who God is; we know that nothing can separate us from His love. The gifts He gives us are effective and eternal, so even in the midst of really difficult circumstances, we can know His peace. God is unchanging and unchangeable and therefore the peace He gives is both lasting and enduring. At this time when we remember the names of Jesus, we focus on the fact that He is the ‘prince of peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). Because of this, we can be the recipients of His peace.

I’m always struck by Luke 2:7 when I re-read the Christmas story: ‘She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.’ No room in a heaving Bethlehem overrun with descendants of David returning to their home town for the Roman census. No room for the Saviour of the world, born to a world that really didn’t want to know him. The irony of this situation always challenges me to look at how much room there is in my life for Jesus. You would think at this special time of year, it would not be a problem to find room for Him, but it’s always alarming to me how many things (often good things in themselves) can creep in and push Jesus out.

For a couple of years now, the line from the carol ‘Joy To The World’ has reverberated around my heart: ‘let every heart prepare Him room.’ When visitors come to our homes, there is preparation. Extra food must be bought. Bedding needs to be changed if they are sleeping over. Cleaning and tidying have to be done. In the same way, we have to de-clutter our lives at times to carve out time to be with Jesus. We have to purify ourselves. (1 John 2:28) We have to learn (as Mary did), to drop the busyness to spend time with Him. (Luke 10:38-42)

Making room for Jesus means there must be no room for certain things. Out must go fear, anxiety, doubt and despair. Out must go selfishness, pride, covetousness, bitterness, envy and anger. There simply isn’t room or space in our hearts for these things and Jesus. We can’t keep those attitudes and be with Jesus. We have to get rid of things in order to embrace the hope, peace, love and joy which Jesus promises.

Many people ‘have a good fettle’, as my Mum used to say, prior to putting up Christmas decorations. They throw things away that are no longer needed so they can make room for the new. We too need to ensure we put off our old self and put on the new, to understand that we have no room for sin so we can have plenty of room for our Saviour.