A Thrill of Hope

I have recently been reflecting on the first three words of Luke 2 : “IN THOSE DAYS...” Yes the context is following the birth of John the Baptist. But what were those days actually like? Someone has quite simply observed that they were days of chaos, violence, political unrest and - I would add - disease (ie leprosy). Does this sound at all familiar? We could quite easily apply Luke 2:1 to our present age – this Christmas of 2020. Caesar may not be taking a census today, but many people today are trying to get home (or find a home), if not for Christmas, then certainly to escape the trouble and disease that confronts them wherever they find themselves.
The good news is that there is still “A thrill of hope” - as the beautiful Christmas carol “O Holy Night” tells us – that this weary world can rejoice in.  Jesus came to save a sinful world and sinful lives, not just In Those Days, but In THESE Days. 

This year has brought a lot of weariness throughout the world with the “chaos, violence and political unrest” and of course COVID-19.  We as a church have not been spared any of the weariness of it all (or is that just me?). However I am thankful for the way God has continued to work amongst us in new and different ways. Of course we still have a mission – or as Pastor Greg said in his report to the AGM, “God’s mission has a church.”  And God’s Church has Jesus! So many in this “weary world” need to be introduced to Jesus – The Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords - the one who can bring rest to the weary. May we all find a time of rest this Christmas – In These Days – to find the rest that only God can give and then find new ways to introduce Jesus to others burdened by sin and sickness in our weary world. 
Jesus said: “Come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  - Matthew 11:28 (NRSV)
A Merry and blessed Christmas to you all, in Jesus’ name.
BC
Brenton Chomel - Chairman

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