Colossians 3:12-17.          Christmas goes on!!                                        27/12/15

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Again a happy and blessed Christmas to you all! Christmas day has come and gone, but the realities of it continue on. Yes at the moment we probably are still feeling the effects of our over-indulgence of food and drink: the batteries of the gifts given and received have not yet gone flat; maybe family are still around. So Christmas is still very much in our lives at this time.

Today as we gather in God’s house we are reminded again that Christmas is much, much more than the outward trappings that we so readily focus on in our world. In many ways the feast, families and gifts that we fill Christmas with can very easily distract us from the reality and greatness of what Christmas really is all about.  When too much emphasis is placed on these trappings of Christmas, then when they are gone, Christmas is gone: done and dusted for another year.

 Along with that, we, if the dinner was good, no family arguments, and the gifts were good, then we have had a good Christmas. Conversely when things have not gone so well, or even disastrously, then it was not such a good Christmas. Our judgement and satisfaction with Christmas is all too dependent on how it has all gone.

Yet surely again Christmas and its greatness and importance are much more than that. Christmas is a reminder that Christ is with us. God is here with us; not just at the dinner table, or as we were unwrapping our gifts. He is with is in the good and the bad. Even more important than that is that he came to be with us to take care of our greatest need of all. He came to die on the cross so that we might have forgiveness of all of our sin and thereby granted salvation and eternal life.  That surely is the greatest aspect of Christmas of all.

That part of Christmas goes on and on for us. Christ’s coming, life, death and resurrection ensures that Christmas is still Christmas irrespective of circumstances or how many days or weeks we are past Christmas. Here in this reading we are reminded that Christmas actually impacts our lives in a big way. How we live and act now will be different. This gift of Christmas brings about a radical change in our lives. Life for us now takes on a whole different focus and meaning; and therefore also a change in how we live, think and act.

Now right at the outset I will say that although this new life is now ours, so often because of our sinful nature we very quickly and easily revert back to our selfish nature and it then all goes wrong for us. However again because of Christmas we look again to the one who came to be with us for the very purpose of dying so that we might be forgiven. So we turn back to him for forgiveness and also the help to live this new life that he has for us.

So let us now look at what this new life looks like according to the text we have in front of us. Firstly it reminds us that we are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. So this new and better life is based on the fact that we are now people who are chosen by God as his special people. We belong and are part of a very special and important family. We are royalty; sons and daughters of God.

And we are dearly loved. Despite who we were, now because of Jesus Christ we are dearly loved, special people. Also we are holy people: people whom God has made and declared holy and righteous. So we have every good reason to now set about living in a way that is fitting for someone with whom such a privilege has been bestowed. 

Our impetus for living is now found not in ourselves, but the one who has chosen, loved and saved us. He and what he says is now what is all important for us and not our own flawed and self-destructive nature. Surely we are wise enough to see the folly of our human ways and now want what God has to say about what is good for us to think say and do. We will want him to be our Lord and our helper.

We will now regularly want to gather in his presence so that more and more he can enable us to be the kind of people that he knows is good for us to be: Firstly in our relationship with him, but then also in our relationships with the people around about us.

Because of Christmas we will now want to wear the clothes that he has given to us as Christmas gifts. So according to this reading we will then put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. With these God given gifts we will then be able to live in our relationships with each other, in ways that are good and helpful; which draws together rather than tear apart.

However because of our selfish nature we will struggle in this regard. But even here God has something good and helpful for us. He says: Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. In this regard the Pope in his Christmas message in the Advertiser made the observation: that today we all too often are merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin. Whereas here God is seeking to help us to forgive as he has forgiven us.

Then our reading goes on by saying: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Again he now has that which is always seeking to do what is best for the other person rather than oneself. This love is not some soppy, sentimental feeling, rather a commitment to seek the welfare of the other person, first and foremost. With this gift of Christmas there will be a tremendous improvement in our societal relationships.

But again there is more! We can do all of this, knowing that we will not be short-changed ourselves. He says: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Because of Jesus’ coming, life, death and resurrection we now have eternal life in heaven guaranteed. No one and nothing can take that away from us. So we have a sure peace in our lives that comes from knowing we will not go short ourselves. So we can do what is best for those around us, just as Jesus did for us.

And we can now do all of this with thankful hearts. We are told that we can be thankful. Because of this great gift that God has given to us this Christmas we can be truly thankful. We have been given so much, despite the fact that we do not deserve it in any way, so we surely cannot help but be thankful.

So again as I said the other day, now we cannot help but speak of this wonderful gift that has been extended to us in Jesus Christ and his coming into our world. Now surely we will Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as we sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God. 

Gathering together in his house in Divine Service we receive from him all that he wants to keep reminding us of and giving us so that we can stay strong and focussed. We are there given what we need so that we can be ever mindful of all that he has done for us. He will ever give us the help that we need to live and be his people.

Then we will be enabled to be thankful and to sing his praises. Out of gratitude for  who he is what he has done for us we will sing his praise. As we are encouraged and helped in the Service he will than help us to also speak to others of how great he and what he has done for us. When we fully appreciate him and what he has done for us we will speak about that which is important to us. It will come naturally. If not we keep going back to him and seeking to understand the greatness of what he has done for us.

Then also what that last verse speaks of, will ever be a part of our lives.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. When he is all important in our lives then everything we say and do will be in response to him and to his glory. When that happens, also be assured that others will notice – our life will be lived in such a way that others will see Jesus. They will see by our attitude as to why we are doing what we are doing.

So we are reminded here this morning of the ongoing aspect of that great Christmas gift that has been extended to us again this year. This gift is a part of our lives each and every day of the rest of our lives.

I pray however that we do not leave this gift under the Christmas tree and think of it and respond to it only every now and again. This gift is too great and important that we will surely want his help to keep it ever in the forefront of our thinking, being and doing. Then again all glory and honour will go to him forever and forever. May these blessings of Christmas be with you and go with you always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Titus 3:4-7.                          A major Christmas present                                          25/12/15

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 

5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 

6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 

A happy and blessed Christmas to you all! Again what a great time of the year this is for us as God’s people – as Christians. Here we are given a gift of a lifetime: A present that surpasses by far anything that this world could give.  The Lamborgini, million dollar diamond necklace, even ‘perfectly behaved children’, do not come anywhere near the greatness of what God has here for us.

At a time when we ‘have got it all,’ almost, from a worldly point of view, we see the deep emptiness in life that is experienced by so many. Fame and fortune do not equate with happiness and satisfaction. Loneliness, depression and addictions are abounding more and more as we think these things are what life is all about.

Much of our western world is struggling with life in an age where materialism has been lifted up as the answer to life. On the other hand, as a person related to me the other day, people in other parts of the world are so happy and friendly even though they have very little. We think that what I have, think, say and do is what life is all about. In fact, I, me and myself has become life for us, and we are struggling big time: especially at Christmas time.

Sadly for many in this day and age, Christmas has become a sad, depressing and frustrating time. As we have become so turned in on ourselves, these special times become those where we struggle the most. Family breakdowns, loss of loved ones, financial pressures and more drag us down, when they are held up as being what life is about. When Christ is taken out of Christmas this is exacerbated even more.

That is where this time however becomes even more important for us to focus on the real message of Christmas and how important that gift is for our welfare as a whole; and even down to our day to day existence. As much as Jesus Christ and the Christian message is said to be irrelevant, it is every bit as important as it ever was. Without it Christmas is the wrapping around an empty box of nothing.

In many cases I believe that people are rejecting Jesus because the message they are given about him is not the central message of the Christian faith. Christianity is too often simply portrayed as being about God loves us and accepts irrespective; and that it is about living as good people. Then Christmas is about us being kind, loving and accepting of each other; about doing good to others; about giving and receiving; it is about family time; and all that kind of things. Is it any wonder then that Christmas is so hard for so many?

Surely Christmas is all about God coming to be with us?  The real message of Christmas is about God, in Jesus Christ, coming to save us from the mess we have made of this world and our lives. Because of our selfishness and rebellion against God, and all too often against each other, we have brought troubles, sickness, death and hell on ourselves. However he came for the very purpose of taking the punishment for that on himself so that we might be forgiven and ensured eternal life in Heaven with our God. He came to also point us to a better way to live and act, that is good for us and our relationships with each other. In this way and for this reason, Christmas extends to us peace, hope and joy.

This reading here spells out very clearly why Christmas and Christ coming to be with us, is so good and important. Here we see why Christmas is so much more than a time of giving and receiving, indulgence and merry, and all that. Christmas at its heart has far greater and more significant issues at stake, which gets to the really basic aspects of life that are so important for our life and welfare.

This reading began with the words: But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared. Here we have very warm and encouraging words with regard to God’s coming into our world. Now that should really strike us hard if we reflect on it. After all, God is holy and all powerful; he is the creator of this world, and you and me. So he is God and Lord: one to whom we should look up to and respect; seek to serve and obey.

But as we know, we have failed miserably in this regard, even though he told us if we do we will surely die and be separated from God. It is not just a matter of we have slipped up here and there in some small ways, but we have rebelled against God and clearly chosen to go our own way and do our own thing. His holiness and justice thereby dictates that he has to punish, most severely, this thinking and activity: punishable with death and hell.

So with that in mind, God coming into our world should surely be seen with fear and apprehension. As sinful human beings, God’s coming should send shivers up our spine. Yet here we are told that he comes in kindness and love, as a Saviour. That is what makes Christmas truly ‘Christmas’. Christ comes to be our Saviour. He comes to be judge and recipient of the judgement. The holy one takes our sin on himself and is punished with the full wrath of God. In turn he extends forgiveness and eternal life with God to those who turn to him and believe what he has done here for them. Amazing!

Here we are also told that: he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. So here we are told very clearly that it is not because of any goodness that we have in us that he did this. Elsewhere Scripture declares that because of our rebellion we now have no goodness within us at all. Because of our attitude toward him we are absolute scum. There is no reason at all why God should save us.

Yet he does. His mercy: his undeserving love is extended to us.  Despite the fact that we are garbage, he looks on us with love and sets about doing what is necessary for us to be saved from this mess. His justice and holiness is served by Jesus taking our punishment on himself, so that now he can freely extend his love and acceptance toward us. This is what makes Christmas truly Christmas. What a gift!

But there is more! He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. So to help us continually keep in mind this great thing he has done for us and to personalize it for us individually, he gave us baptism and the gift of his Holy Spirit. So now in the midst of the rough and tumble of life we can know for sure that our salvation, acceptance into God’s family, eternal life in heaven and more is ours; even when we don’t feel it.

The again that last sentence this is spelt out even more: so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Our baptism and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives assures us over and over again that we are justified by his grace: that is we are declared in the right with God because of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, even though we do not deserve it.

All this he does so that we can become his heirs: His sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. He has thereby made it possible for us to be with him for the rest of eternity with the very best of everything. How amazing is that? What a great Christmas gift this is? Surely now Christmas is truly Christmas?

Now there is Joy to the world, for the Lord is come. Now there is Peace on earth, even in the midst of troubles, terrorism and war. Now there is the sure hope for a great future for us despite what we see around us. Jesus’ coming to be with us gives us all of this and more. This is what makes Christmas, Christmas. This is the real message of Christmas that turns our world upside and gives us that which truly does brighten up life for all who believe in him who came as a little babe in a manger all those years ago.

So with this true message of Christmas may you have a truly blessed Christmas and may you in some way impart that message with others that you share this time with. Then also may this gift be with you for the rest of your lives and give you true peace, joy and hope. To our great God Father, Son and Holy Spirit then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Micah 5:2-5a.     A meaningful /life-changing Christmas gift!!                        20/12/15

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. " 

3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And he will be their peace. 

Yes, we are at that time of the year again. Christmas is almost on us. Hopefully by now we have done much of our Christmas shopping. But again I am sure we have been frazzled by trying to decide what we are going to give as gifts to those who are near and dear to us. At a time when everyone has got everything that they want; what do you get them that they might enjoy and in some way find meaningful and lasting?

In the end, we often get something that we know when the battery has run flat the interest will already be gone and the person is bored once more. But what do you get. Nothing is lasting and so much is not as meaningful as it used to be. At least that is the way that it seems. Maybe this is a reflection of our own thinking, or the vastness of ‘stuff’ that is out there and peddled as being good, but our experience is the it doesn’t live up to the hype. So what Christmas Gift is meaningful and lasting for us to give and receive?

Now when I was young, and if the truth be told it is still there today, when I looked at the Christmas gifts, nicely wrapped under the tree, I would look firstly to the biggest and brightest and hope that that would be mine. For some reason or other the bigger, brighter and better looking the wrapping was, the better we thought the gift would be.

Then in the unwrapping of it there was great excitement, in the hope that here was something really great. Often it would be something that we were hoping to get and which we thought would be super good, so for the first few days we were all over it as much as we could. However it did not take long for the novelty to wear off. Then the gift gets put away in the corner and rarely used.

The bigger was not always better and the brighter would just as quickly become lack-lustre. Often the socks and shirts got far more use than the toy we think was just great. The noisier they were the more quickly they became irritating. So the wrapping and gift often has little to do with its greatness and meaningfulness.

Nearly always, even now sadly as we are older and supposedly wiser, we quickly overlook the little tag stuck to the outside of the present. On it written, something like, To Roger with love from …….. and maybe a message that is deep and meaningful and lasting. Quickly overlooked and discarded in favour of the gift itself. That which is truly good is not treasured anywhere near as much as the gift that is here today and gone tomorrow.

This is Christmas today for most of us. We know that it should be much more than that, but we can’t seem to help it. The same thing then also crosses over into the spiritual sphere of Christmas. We get caught up in the trappings and quickly brush over the real meaning and significance of Christmas. Then we wonder why Christmas doesn’t seem to be Christmas all.

Instead of Christmas lighting up each day of the year for us, we too get caught up in ‘the twelve days of Christmas’ then it is all over and done with. Very quickly Christmas loses its dazzle and the ‘batteries’ of our faith runs flat once more. Then we start questioning within ourselves whether there is anything much to it all. Our church attendance slackens off and the pressures of life increase more and more.

Now it is right into the midst of all of this thinking that our text here this morning has much to say to us, and a great deal of encouragement to give to us. Here is a prophecy that was made hundreds of years before Christmas ever was a reality. Here God was giving his people a meaningful present that would change everything. Yes that ‘package’ did not get unpacked for them for many years hence. But the message on the wrapping helped to sustain them and keep them looking forward into the future with hope and a deep sense of excitement.

The message starts out: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah.” A tiny little village is to be significant in this package that is to come. The ‘wrapping paper’ is very plain and ordinary. The box it comes in is small and insignificant. But the present that you will find in it will be great and life changing for all: even us here two thousand years later again.

Yes out of this little town Bethlehem “will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." The present that comes to the world from this little village will be a ruler who will rule over God’s people. This ruler is the one whom God had determined and promised way back in ancient times. In fact even before the creation of the world itself.

God knew that we would sin and so he already had his plan in mind as to how he would save his people and ensure that they can be in his presence for all eternity. Then regularly he reminded his people that he would send the Messiah who would save and rescue his people from the mess that they had made for themselves. He would be “the Lamb of God” who takes away the sin of the world: He would take the punishment we deserve on himself, so that we could be forgiven and made acceptable once more.

So the message was there for them way back then and for us today. God would come to save his people. But between now and the fulfilment of this, God tell his people that they will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. So for a while real life in a sinful world will not always be easy. There will be times when we are left feeling as though God has abandoned us.

Nevertheless his sure promise is that it will come to an end. And it did. All Israelites had to return to their ancestral town for a census and in that process a young woman named Mary give birth to her baby in that little village of Bethlehem.  All very lowly and unassuming, but was to be a gift that changed the world.

Now the message that was given in connection with this gift was that this baby will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. Now think through what this is saying, not just to those people way back then, but also to us here today. This baby will stand in the strength of the Lord. So here in Jesus will be one who has all the power of God.

This power will be at work pastoring his people: Shepherding them as a shepherd would do for his sheep. He will lead them to green pastures and cool refreshing water. He will protect them and guide them; he will give his life to rescue them from the clutches of the evil one.

Even though he is born in such an ordinary and lowly manner he has all the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. He thereby is God almighty himself come into our world to do what is necessary for us to be saved from death and hell. God walked this earth and did miracle after miracle to clearly show there was God himself come into our world so that we would stop and listen and take note. He taught the things of God with great authority and power and so that people sat up and took note. Here was the Lord himself, the boss of all, so we need to sit up and take note.

Then he went to Jerusalem and allowed the leaders to put him to death on the cross. God takes the punishment that you and I deserve on himself so that we might be forgiven and accepted back into God’s family. God lowers himself to us so that we might be lifted up to him. He takes on our sin and in place gives us his righteousness. God forsakes his own Son so that we might not be forsaken. How amazing is that.

Then God raises him from the dead so that we can know that all who are connected to him will also be raised to life again and taken to be with God in heaven; there to enjoy the rest of eternity. All who believe and are baptised he assures that they will now be with him in heaven. Nothing now can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So now they and we will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. Jesus lived died and rose again so that all people can know and be a part of this great thing he has done for us. The present – this gift is for all. Sadly of course many will reject and turn their backs on this gift and so will lose these great benefits; but it is for all.

So, all who take seriously this gift and the message that goes with him will receive that which is truly great, meaningful and lasting. It is a gift that gives peace, hope and joy to all who listen and take seriously what has been done for us. This gift – this Jesus Christ will be their peace. 

Now we have something meaningful and lasting to give life and hope to every day of the rest of our lives. Now we have a gift to share with others this Christmas that far surpasses any other gift. So help others and ourselves to take careful note of the real message of Christmas and then we all will receive that which lasts and lasts, to eternal life. So to him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Philippians 4:4-7.                              Rejoice in the Lord always.                                           13/12/15

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious about anything. These are rather extraordinary statements to be made to us who are living in the real world where things never seem to work out as they should. Anxiety and glumness continually creeps into our lives as we face difficulties and tragedies. So how can God say to us: Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious about anything. And all that.

Surely when we face the death of a loved one there will be sadness; Even Jesus was sad and wept when he walked this earth. When terrorism strikes; even if it is the other side of the world; our anxiety rises because the same threat is there in our own country. We are living in a sinful world where we are constantly confronted with all kinds of problems, sickness, disasters and death that shake and un-nerve us.

So again God’s message here leaves us somewhat uneasy. What does it mean for us here today? Can we; Rejoice in the Lord always. And not be anxious about anything?  Well that is what God is telling us, so we need to explore how this can be.

Now the first thing that has to be said in this matter is that as sinful human beings we are always going to struggle with this. Because we are turned in on ourselves and look at these things from a worldly point of view, we cannot help but see the bad and the sad and be dragged down by it all: Especially as there is so much of it all, all around us.

We cannot help but see these terrible things and be saddened by them. We see what we do to one another and cannot see any improvement; in fact it is getting worse all the time. Above all, death is always before us, and when we do not consider God and what he has done for us in Jesus Christ, then, it is all a fearful thing.

Sadly for all of us we do not think about God anywhere near as much as we should. We think simply of our own reasoning and of what the world around us sees as important, and so naturally are dragged down when things don’t work out as we think that they should. Without God and Jesus Christ this world is a scary place.

Now we can do what so many around us are doing and pretend that there is no God. But that even makes it more unnerving, because then we have to pretend that things are not so bad and that they will get better in the future. But deep down we know that they aren’t and will never be. In fact, the way we are going from an earthly point of view, we are fast destroying our world around us.

So when we look at life from the perspective of self-centred and self-focussed people we are always going to struggle to be positive and joyful always. No matter how hard we try, real life will have its impact on us. We don’t have to look very far or wide to see this reality in all of us.

However the second thing we need to keep in mind with all of this. is Jesus Christ. Now this reading comes up at this time of the year as we are reminded that Christmas is just around the corner. God sends his Son into our world to bring about peace, hope and joy to a world that has lost these things. In our endeavours to make a life for ourselves we have brought this misery on ourselves; but God has come to give us a way out. It is only with him and what he does for us that we are able to even consider what he has to say to us about rejoicing and not being anxious.

Jesus comes and takes on himself all that causes us to be unable to rejoice and be gentle. For everything that takes away our peace, he takes on himself the punishment for it all. So all that happens in our life that makes us anxious and sad, now has the sting of death and hell taken out of it. Even though we face all kinds of difficulties and tragedies, they now no longer can take away eternal life in heaven with our God.

Through Jesus’ coming into our world, and his life, death and resurrection a way has been opened up through all the consequences of sin. His death on the cross ensures that forgiveness is there for every sin that we have committed and which has been inflicted on us. Nothing then can now separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So now we can be sad at the loss of a loved one, or the tragedies of a society that has gone off the rails and suffering loneliness, alienation, bullying, depression and all kinds of things that are seriously affecting that happiness of our world and ourselves. But at the same time we can rejoice, for we now know that our Lord has covered all those things. He has ensured that he is using it all for good, for those who love the Lord Jesus. None of those, including death itself, can separate us from God and the good that he has in mind for us in heaven.

So now we can get on with life in a positive manner, while at the same time acknowledging the real and tough world that we have to live in. As long as we stay close to our Lord: or more to the point, as long as we recognise that God is close to us in Jesus Christ we are able to go forth boldly and confidently, while at the same time being realistic about the world that we live in.

To help us to do so, though, we need to regularly gather together in his house so that he can give us what we need to stay focussed on him. We need to regularly be reminded that in our baptism we were joined to him and the good he has in mind for us. We need to regularly hear the words of forgiveness pronounced to us, because we still sin much. We need to continually hear his word read, expounded and studied so that we can know what is good and right for us to think, know and do. As often as we can we need to receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion so that we are further strengthened and encouraged as his people in a very real way. Then we also need to have the blessing of his presence placed on us so that we can be ever sure that he is with us always, doing what is good for us.

With all that help and reassurance we then are able to face all that takes place in our sinful world around. We can rejoice in the Lord always; even in our sad and troublesome times. Not with a false outward joy, but with that inner peace, hope and joy that comes from knowing that our Lord is with us through it all; and that he will in the end bring it all to that good conclusion that he has in mind for us all.

Now we can also Let our gentleness be evident to all. There is no need for us to seek to get even, or fight back. We don’t have to try to lord it over others and manipulate and use others so that we can get ahead. Nor is there any need for us to build ourselves up in the eyes of others in an attempt to be more acceptable and popular. In every way we can be gentle in our attitude toward others.

We can do it all because we are continually assured that the Lord is near. God is with us now throughout our lives so we can rest in the knowledge that he will see us through and get us to the end, no matter what happens to us along the way.

That also then means that when things are not working out the way we think they should, we Do not need be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. In every situation we can now call on our Lord who is near to do what he knows is right and good and helpful in those situations. We can present all our requests to him and know that he is in control and will use it for good.

Instead of being anxious, we know that he will do what is best. Now of course that does not mean that he will take many of these troubles away from us. He does not promise to give us health, wealth and happiness always. We can see the results all around us of what happens when we have more than sufficient for our needs. He now uses sufferings and hard times to draw us or others closer to himself or to remind us that we cannot do life on our own without regard for him.

With that assurance we can face everything with the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. With him near we are now able to be at peace knowing that it will all work out for good. We know that because of Jesus’ coming, life, death and resurrection that the Lord now loves us, forgives us and has heaven awaiting us when our time is up here on earth.

We also in the midst of all of this have his promise that he will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. All we are called on is to remember that he is near to us. He will do what he can to keep us safe and in his care.

 The danger is that we turn our backs on him and all that he is and has done for us. Then we will again look to ourselves and our world around us, and the realities of life will drag us down once more.

So no, as we approach Christmas again this year, let us make sure that we allow him to remind us of the extent that he is prepared to go for us: All so that we can face life in a sinful world with hope and confidence. May he then again strengthen and grow in us the peace, hope and joy that he has for us. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

To him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish