I’ve been pondering and speaking on some of the vistas of the Kingdom found Matthew’s Gospel. Those views that draw our eye to the things beyond this world, but near to our hearts.
Traditionally Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, focuses on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Each theme apparent in the Christmas story, each providing a vista, an inspiring view of God in action.
A careful study of the Bible reveals that God’s plan is to redeem people and prepare us for eternity, life after death, life beyond this world. We resonate with the Hope of the advent season because we yearn for it in our own lives. To know that God is at work, that His promises are being fulfilled, to know that there is a path forward. The babe born in the stable, Jesus, is the promised Messiah, the one who brings hope, the one who is the hope of nations, your hope! That hope brings peace, oh how we long for peace in our lives around us, and within us.
While Hope is an inspiring view of what is happening and what is to come, peace is that vista that is deep within us, the presence of the living God in our lives.
The vista of Joy is sometimes mistaken this time of year as we search for happiness in our decorations, presents and gatherings, which sometimes leave us disappointed or longing. Joy isn’t in our response to the moment; joy is about a view that looks beyond the circumstances to the Christ who purchased our salvation on the cross.
The vista of joy reflects the glad tidings – a saviour. We are not stuck with our own righteousness, but can know the righteousness of Jesus. Love crowns all, as Jesus would tell Nicodemus, ‘for God so loved the world He sent His only son.’
The love around that beautiful vista of the nativity is the same love of Jesus on cross, in the tomb, and raised from the dead. It is easier to see love in Christmas, harder to grapple with it over Easter. Good Friday doesn’t feel very loving, but the love is not in the actions that lead to the death of Jesus, it is in the actions of Jesus walking that path on our behalf. It is why Jesus came, God Himself, taking on human form and living then as one of us, obediently following the Father’s plan.
To celebrate Christmas is indeed to celebrate the power of Christ Jesus who has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit. To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate not only the First Advent, but the Second Advent that is to come. Jesus is coming again, not as a baby, but as the King of Kings ushering in the fullness of His Kingdom for all eternity.
Wow, that is a lot to digest for a simple ministerial message, my hope and goal is simply this, may the hope, peace, joy and love of Jesus be yours in a fresh way this Christmas!
