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What's this party all about? -- It was in the time of Jesus:When John came on the scene -- baptising people in the Jordan river and preaching that people should turn away from their sins, the religious leaders sent messengers to him asking: 'Who are you?' 'Are you the Saviour?' 'If you aren't the awaited Saviour, why do you baptise?' 'Are you Elijah or the prophet who is prophesied to come before the Saviour?' John told them clearly and fairly: 'I'm not who you think -- but among you already is someone [far greater than me --] who's feet and shoes I'm not even worthy to touch!' ' I've come to tell you to prepare the way for the Lord', as the prophet Isaiah had said. Well, John was talking about Jesus! John's disciples became curious about Jesus and followed him home -- to find out more about him. One even said to his friend: 'We've found the prophecied one about whom Moses and the prophets wrote -- !' Much later, when John was in prison & probably doubting himself and the inspiration he had had about Jesus, he sent his own disciples to speak to Jesus, asking: 'who are you [really]?' -- Of course, Jesus' reply came straight out of the writings of Isaiah! 'What do you see?' -- Jesus was in effect saying: Scripture is being fulfilled in me! We have a similar vignette to ponder when Jesus went into the synagogue at Nazareth -- here too he read from the scroll of Isaiah -- that passage. To conclude, he said: 'today this Word is being fulfilled as you hear it.' In a few days it will be Christmas! For some people the Christmas shopping started in the summer -- and they are all ready for the party! Others are still scampering around in the stores to get that last minute gift or special food-item for Christmas dinner ... I'm still very busy writing worship services for my congregation because I can never seem to clear my head for these wonderful worship celebrations before Advent -- Christmas has always been a great season for shopping -- and on Boxing Day we see more wonderful sales -- enabling us to catch that special gift that we couldn't afford until after all the Christmas money-gifts came to us ... This year, with the financial downturn -- many store-owners and toy manufacturers and contractors will feel a 'pinch', as people slow down in their spending. -- But what about that great big party that all the world participates in from December 24 - January 6? Will it be cancelled? -- like some of the office parties? THIS PARTY IS NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS WE GIVE OR RECEIVE -- although sharing and generosity, especially for those who have a need -- is very important. It proclaims God's love for the entire world, and our love that comes from God! THIS PARTY IS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR. We believe Jesus is the Saviour of the world. No wars, famines, depressions etc. can take that gift from us that God has already given. No situation on earth or in the heavens can take away the promise that our Saviour will come again. God has done it! God has given us 'the reason for the season'. It's [His] party and we're all invited to celebrate with God -- regardles of whether we have decorations, dinners or any of the other traditional 'trappings.' Merry Christmas!
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