Christmastide

It’s has been 5 months, now, and Christmas presses in. A funeral today, reminding us why Jesus came at Christmas – to defeat the powers of sin, death, and the evil one.

I am knee deep in sermons, wrapping, giblets, and A Christmas Carol – my favourite Christmas story. (As well as A Christmas Story, with the Red Rider BB Gun. I almost put my own eye out with a bb gun, so I could relate…)

The Bible readings for the days ahead are so familiar, that I am afraid we won’t hear them. So at our church we are using Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible called The Message. It’s fresh and sounds like a person speaking, as opposed to the “churchy” language of the traditional versions.

Here’s a part of Luke 2, as translated by Eugnen Peterson in The Message: Luke 2:8-12

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

Hear (OK, read) John 1:14: 14

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.

Nice. I need to hear these stories again, fresh and new.

It’s the old, old story, and we need Jesus fresh and new each day.

God bless us, every one!