Today’s carol service at Cherry Tree Court looked at the (very topical) question of the perfect gift. Giving a gift is an integral part of Christmas and can be extremely nerve-wracking! We choose gifts for people with loving care, but at times, the special moment is spoiled: perhaps the clothes don’t fit or are the wrong colour, or a toy gets broken in transit, or the person already has the gift we chose. Worst of all it when we realise the gift is really not what they wanted and instead of lighting up with pleasure, there is that momentary glimpse when we realise we have failed in our choice…

What can we possibly give to a king at Christmas? What can we give the living God as a present?

Micah 6:6 talks about the burnt offerings which were a requirement of Jewish law. Often, we look for quality in the presents we buy: the animals offered by the priests had to be without blemish, absolutely perfect. Or perhaps we go for quantity (see Micah 6:7). What we need to realise is that Christmas is about God giving us the perfect gift in His Son, Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:11) All God requires from us is to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8) In other words, the perfect gift to give to God is ourselves. He wants us to give all we are to Him, for He has given everything He has to us.

Chris Tomlin’s version of ‘Joy To The World’ includes a new chorus added to the traditional carol:

‘Joy, unspeakable joy
An overflowing well, no tongue can tell.
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul, never lets me go.’

The joy God brings is not the same as happiness, which often depends on our circumstances or moods. It comes directly from God: Jesus promised His disciples His joy (John 17:13) and urged us to ask for this joy (John 16:24). Nehemiah reminded the people that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10). Joy can’t be manufactured, but like so many things in the Christian life can be received with gratitude.

There is so much in life we don’t know and we don’t understand. When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and given the momentous news that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and she would conceive a baby who would be the Saviour of the world, her response was one of amazed obedience: ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ (Luke 1:38) I think it’s highly doubtful she fully understood what she was being told, but she was prepared to trust.

Understanding is often seen as the goal. When we are surrounded by mysterious circumstances, when we cannot see the future, when heartache hits like a hurricane and we are swept off our feet, we want to understand. Often, we are simply incapable of understanding. But God tells us we can trust and obey, even when we don’t understand. As today’s song reminds us of the truths behind that angelic announcement, as it has the advantage of looking back on the life of Jesus with the benefit of hindsight, we need to remember that God is working all things together for good, even when we don’t see how that possibly be the case or how that can happen.

‘Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.’ (‘Mary, Did You Know?’, Jeremy Camp)

Today was the Mums & Toddlers’ Christmas party, enjoyed by both groups in equal measure, I would say!

First arrivals:

Having fun playing:

As at all parties, there was food to eat!

There was a visit from Santa:

.. and presents to receive:

Even the Mums got their own presents!

… though some tried to hide from the camera!

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped, to those who provided home baking and presents and to all who attended! Happy Christmas!

In the hustle and bustle of life, especially when people are extremely busy, we need to take time out to pause and gaze on God. Today’s song ‘Sanctuary‘ enables us to do just that. Written as a lullaby, it reminds us that Jesus is the prince of peace and because of Him, fear can be gone, for love has come; hope has dawned. It’s always good to pause in our busyness, to build time into our schedules to be still and know that He is God. (Ps 46:10)

‘Peace is here, fear is gone.

Love has come, hope has dawned.

He will be a sanctuary,

Let our hearts not be afraid.

Dwelling here with us forever,

Jesus Christ is born today.

Mary sings her lullaby

Love is born, this holy night.

Hallelujah, our everlasting life

Hallelujah.’ (‘Sanctuary’, Aaron Shust)

In concluding our studies on 1 John, we discussed the things we have learned from the whole letter. One of the things that has particularly struck us in the number of times John uses the words ‘we know.’ (see 1 John 2:3, 13, 18-19, 20, 29, 3:3, 14, 16, 19-20, 24; 4:13, 16; 5:2, 13, 15, 18-20). There is a black-and-white quality to John’s writing which is at odds with the world’s current obsession with ‘tolerance’ and ‘uncertainty.’ Whilst there are many things we freely admit we do not know, here are some of the things John is adamant we do know!

We know God.

We know Jesus. We know He is righteous. We know and rely on His love.

We know truth. Everything in life has to be measured against God’s truth to see if it is authentic or counterfeit.

We know our relationship to God – we are His beloved children.

We know the world’s relationship to God – it is under the control of the evil one, but is loved by God and therefore we love the sinner, even as we hate the sin.

We know obedience is the outworking of love.

We know we have eternal life.

We know God listens to us and hears us.

We know we have what we ask of God.

We know we have a personal relationship with God.

Today, if you’re wrestling with all the things you don’t know or don’t have answers for, come back to John’s list of what we do know and rest in these truths.