On Tues December the 6th, just under a week ago, we had a talk from Richard Croft (a big thank you to Richard if he ever reads this) a missionary with OMF. It was a great opportunity to learn from his understanding of mission, borne of years in various countries of God’s green earth where he’s been living and speaking on behalf of Jesus.
Looking forward just 15 days Christmas is coming. Christmas marks the day (although probably not too exactly) that our missional God sent his Son into the world; he came to show us God and then through his death gave us a way to God.
I thought it’d be worth pulling these two ideas together when thinking about the approach of Christmas; which is, in truth, the marker of the 1st day of the incarnational (in the flesh i.e. taking on humanity) phase of the divine rescue plan. What should we be doing to live out our purpose in the approach to Christmas? We are called to be ambassadors of God telling people the gospel (Matt 28:18-20) and loving our neighbours (i.e. everyone you come in contact with) as ourselves (Matt 22:36-40).
Our purpose as Christians is to spread the word about Christ and our obligation has always been to love others as ourselves –the so called ‘golden rule’- which is even more important when it serves to break down barriers and objections people may otherwise have, and false views of Christians per-se (e.g. Col. 4:5-6).
So what can we do? (Note: this is a long way from exhaustive)
1st: Don’t let Christ be crowded out of your Christmas. It’s been said so many times that it’s becoming a cliché that we should ‘recover the true meaning of Christmas’ but things often become cliched because they're true. First we need to recover it within ourselves. We should never cease preaching the gospel to ourselves (to quote those fun-loving puritans). That manger led to a cross which led to a crown. Jesus’ birth and eventual death are intertwined. That’s where our salvation comes from. So put Christ first this Christmas....a gift greater than any of the others we could hope for.
2nd Know you’re not alone: Matt 28:18-20 goes onto tell us that the mission succeeds because all authority has been given to him. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and empowers us for our witness. Don’t forget Christian mates can be a great source of encouragement. No man is an island (although some of us act like peninsulas).
3rd Show Hospitality: Jesus frequently ate meals with sinners, (e.g. Mark 2:15-17) not as an act of charity (in the new sense of the word) but because he loved them, and wanted to establish relationship with them. Eating together is an especially easy thing to do at Christmas (and particularly rewarding gastronomically). If you’re not having a Christmas meal yet: go for it. Christmas gives you an excellent conversation topic too. Try it. What’s the worst that could happen (beyond indigestion)?
4th Carol services: Can work well with point 3, people have an unusual affinity for church at this time of year. Great, guide your friends to a church with great carols and a passion for biblical Christmas messages. Exposure to the words of scripture being taught is always a good thing.
5th Give gifts: I have a friend who gave every member of his (non-Christian) family a Christian book and a message explaining how much his faith meant to him and how he wished they also would come to see Jesus in the same way. Do you have family/a friend who you would wish to love in this way. It takes stones, but have courage.
6th Be with people: relationships are vitally important, use your time well over Christmas. Pray for opportunities to tell them, and be honest with your friends (but remember to be gracious Col. 4:6)
7th Pray: I know this is involved in other points, but it deserves its own section as well. Prayer is a declaration of dependence on God, and through our prayers God causes things to be done. Don’t neglect to take the time to pray this Christmas.
I’m not sure if this page has a feedback section. But if it does put down your own ideas or words of encouragement.
Congratulations, you’ve read my first attempt at a CMF blog.....here’s to many more.
Speak to you soon CMF mancunians.
SDG
(p.s. spelling and grammar criticism is more than welcome if done kind-heartedly)