WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 I feel had I known I would have put on a much better costume than what I managed this morning. 00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:10.839 I just want to speak to you very, very briefly. 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:17.780 And before John Lewis stole the march on the Christmas advertising campaign 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:22.179 with the old man in the moon or the wildlife trampolining team, 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:29.379 back in the day, the company that ruled the Christmas advertising campaign was M&S. 00:00:29.379 --> 00:00:33.299 It wasn't just any Christmas advertising campaign. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:37.820 It was an M&S Christmas advertising campaign. 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:45.599 And in 2001, they ran an advert called Christmas in Three Words. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:50.000 Christmas in Three Words. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:56.739 The likes of Julian Clary offered these three words, the Queen's Speech. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:01:03.039 And I know we'll all be there, Christmas afternoon, so full, so sleepy, 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:10.200 but with hands on our hearts as Elizabeth shares her pearls of wisdom for the year ahead. 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:14.400 George Best offered peace on earth. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:18.040 Hugh Laurie pulling a cracker. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:23.240 Morecambe and Wise was offered by Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave. 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:24.099 Redgrave. 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:28.119 But how would you sum up Christmas in three words? 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:34.500 How would you sum up this time of year with all the festivities and eating? 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:36.839 What would you say were your three words? 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:38.339 Perhaps it would be these. 00:01:41.419 --> 00:01:43.739 Friends and family. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:46.619 That's your Christmas, friends and family. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:50.640 Perhaps like me, you'd be no Brussels sprouts. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:55.880 Perhaps it might be the very thing I'm feeling today. 00:01:56.600 --> 00:01:59.100 Itchy Christmas jumper. 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:02.060 Snazzy Christmas jumper. 00:02:02.600 --> 00:02:03.760 My favourite bit of Christmas. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:06.460 Pigs in blankets. 00:02:06.820 --> 00:02:07.860 Million percents. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:16.659 Or that disgruntled child on Christmas Day that opens the new thing only to find batteries not included. 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:22.400 You know you're middle-aged when this is your Christmas, 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:25.039 where you have to muster the enthusiasm to say, 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:28.079 wow, more socks. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:30.620 Or perhaps it's this. 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:32.840 New Year diet. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:38.659 How would you sum up Christmas in three words? 00:02:39.700 --> 00:02:42.620 Well, if you ask Dr. Luke about the first Christmas, 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:48.219 that Christmas account that we just read for us by the soldier and the shepherd. 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:50.960 If you ask that guy, the guy who wrote that account, 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:53.680 how would you sum up Christmas in three words? 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:58.939 He would use three radically different words to describe his day. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:03.539 The first word he would use is the word historical. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.079 If you said, Luke, what is Christmas about? 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.680 He'd say it is historical. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:12.780 It really happened. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:16.900 Luke sets upon this great journalistic endeavour 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:21.400 to write down exactly the things that are true about Jesus 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:24.939 so that we can all have certainty about who he is, 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:28.379 why he came, and what it means to follow him. 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:33.919 And he gives us all sorts of facts to show us that it is an historical event. 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:40.519 He tells us that it is while Caesar Augustus was the emperor. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:47.419 He tells us also that Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:52.099 He's trying to say that these are historical, verifiable facts, 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:55.219 that there really was a Mary, there really was a Joseph, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:04:00.139 and on that first Christmas there really was a baby born who they named Jesus 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:03.960 because he would save his people from their sins. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:09.360 It also tells us that Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:14.219 because Joseph was of the line of David and his ancestral city was Bethlehem. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:20.339 So they had to go on this long journey because of the decree that had been issued. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:24.759 Also tells us that during the night the baby was born, 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:27.379 whether it was quite exactly as we saw happen here. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:32.439 I couldn't quite tell, but it was in historical events. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:37.120 That first Christmas was historical. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:38.800 Luke, what is Christmas about? 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:41.220 Word one I would give you, historical. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:45.600 This is not something that happened far, far away. 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:50.840 This is not something that happened way back when, 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:52.480 when the world was full of wonders. 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:54.980 This is not a fairy tale. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:56.800 This is not Rudolph. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:58.860 This is not St. Nicholas. 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:01.340 This is not the Grinch. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:05.399 This is a real historical verifiable fact. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:08.500 That there really was a Mary, there really was a Joseph. 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:13.199 And there really is a Jesus who was born into the world. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:16.419 C.S. Lewis often pondered this question, 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:20.319 could Shakespeare ever meet Hamlet? 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:24.500 And C.S. Lewis' conclusion was, 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:26.399 yes, Shakespeare could meet Hamlet, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:28.979 but Shakespeare would have to write himself into the story. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:33.319 And that's exactly the historicity of Christmas. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:38.240 That God himself has written himself into the story 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.720 in the person of his son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:45.560 That God wrote himself into the story. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.640 The God who stands outside of the story entered the story. 00:05:51.080 --> 00:05:54.080 And the second person of the Trinity was born 00:05:54.080 --> 00:05:56.980 in the lowliest circumstances imaginable. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.720 What's Christmas about? 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:00.000 Word one, it's historical. 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:05.040 Second word Luke would give us is that it was essential. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:09.840 The first Christmas was not an optional extra for us. 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:13.700 It wasn't an intriguing event that we can take or leave. 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:16.100 It wasn't the metaphorical Brussels sprout 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:20.040 that you can just leave and hope somebody will take them away from you. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:23.220 Christmas is essential. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:26.640 It's something to which we must pay attention. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:30.360 The first Christmas is a pivotal moment 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:33.560 that begins to answer life's big questions. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:35.540 What am I here for? 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:36.980 What does it mean? 00:06:37.840 --> 00:06:40.700 What is life all about? 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:45.740 What is the purpose of life, the world, and everything? 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.480 And God answers that question. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:50.620 He begins to answer that question at Christmas. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:54.000 And we know we needed help. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.920 We look on our TV and we see the carnage and the chaos and the catastrophe 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.340 and we do think that the world is broken, 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.120 that it was not meant to be this way. 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:09.000 And not only that, but we look in the mirror into our own lives 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:13.019 and we realize that we're not the people we were supposed to be. 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:20.759 Selfish, self-interested, sinful, self-promoting, self-obsessed. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:25.159 That God is the boss, but we decided we wanted to be the boss. 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:29.740 So we sacked him as our boss, even though he is the boss, 00:07:29.799 --> 00:07:31.479 and we wanted to be the boss ourselves. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:36.480 And the world is broken as a result. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:41.540 This broken world, which includes you and includes me, 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:43.720 this life shrouded in darkness, 00:07:44.700 --> 00:07:47.819 needed a solution to come from out with. 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:51.560 These deep problems needed a rescuer, 00:07:51.700 --> 00:07:53.600 needed a dawning of new life, 00:07:53.980 --> 00:07:56.759 needed the shining of new light. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:03.159 We needed a fixer and a healer and a saviour and a restorer. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:06.319 We needed somebody to come and help us 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.500 and do for us what we couldn't do ourselves. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:13.279 This baby born that first Christmas, 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:17.519 this Jesus whose name means God saves, 00:08:18.099 --> 00:08:22.180 is one who perfectly embodies everything that we all need. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:25.319 We need a saviour and Jesus comes and says, 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.939 I am the saviour. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.500 See how the baby is described. 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:32.939 He's called Jesus, meaning God saves. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:34.740 He's called the Christ, 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:36.460 which means that he is God's chosen, 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:39.000 anointed, promised, eternal king. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:41.100 He's called the son of God, 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:44.120 one who perfectly mediates for us. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:48.960 He is the saviour who is Christ the Lord. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.360 One to come to rescue us 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:53.759 and give us another chance, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:58.259 new hope, forgiveness, life and joy forever. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:01.879 The truth is, ladies and gentlemen, 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.720 that we all have a deadly default problem 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:10.279 caused by our sinfulness and our brokenness. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:14.079 And that's why Jesus is essential for us. 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:16.299 He's the one who fixes us up, 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:20.179 heals us, restores us and gives us another go. 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:23.500 The only one who can get us out of the mess 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:26.079 we are in and give us a fresh start 00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:27.500 and wipe the slate clean. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.799 The one who can reconcile us, 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.819 separated from God as we are in our sinfulness. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:36.819 The one who comes to us and brings us back together 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:38.660 with the God of the universe. 00:09:40.280 --> 00:09:44.340 Christmas is historical and it is essential. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:49.840 And lastly and finally, Christmas is joyful. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:56.900 By joyful, I don't mean the transient joy of tinsel 00:09:56.900 --> 00:09:59.860 or the fleeting joy of festivities 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:02.180 or the passing joy of presents, 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:05.280 not the joy of the consumerist Christmas. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:11.320 I mean joy that is deep, satisfying, monumental, 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:14.920 life-changing, lasting and even eternal. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:17.640 Dr. Luke, what is Christmas about? 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:21.620 Well, it's historical, it's essential 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:24.660 and finally it's joyful. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:27.000 In the story that was read to us, 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:29.840 everyone who comes in contact with this boy 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:32.600 who realizes who this baby is, 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:34.440 is overcome with joy. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:43.880 A whole choir of angels on the hills above Bethlehem, 00:10:44.140 --> 00:10:47.300 an unprecedented array of the heavenly host, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:49.960 they gather in a joyful chorus, 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:53.580 I'm sure just as joyful as the chorus we heard this morning. 00:10:54.160 --> 00:10:56.220 This earth-shattering event 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:59.800 where the joy of heaven overflows into earth. 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:01.279 And what do they say? 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.319 Fear not. 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:07.620 I bring you good news of great joy. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.579 That will be for all the people. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.000 All the people at that time 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:14.799 and all the people every time ever since. 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.919 Good news. 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:18.740 That will be for all the people. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:21.179 Good news that will be for you 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.599 and for me and for us. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:26.980 That will bring great joy. 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:31.060 It is joy that you are invited into this morning. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:34.080 Joy through this good news. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:36.960 Joy through this son who does for us 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:39.420 what we cannot do for ourselves. 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:42.820 A present that will never disappoint. 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:46.580 An event they could not fully comprehend. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:49.980 A joy they couldn't fathom. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:53.720 A joy open to us. 00:11:54.540 --> 00:11:56.639 So how would you describe your Christmas 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:59.020 in three words? 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:01.120 Friends and family. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:05.220 No Brussels sprouts, batteries, not included. 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.940 New Year, diet. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:11.900 Maybe tedious, burdensome and wearisome. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.580 If you're a bit of a scrooge. 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:16.960 Scrooge, rushed, exhausting and stressful 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:21.900 if you're cooking for 37,000 on Christmas Day. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:27.100 Perhaps empty, lonely and endurance. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.240 But perhaps today you will see 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.560 that in this son there's a better story. 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:35.860 There's the chance of a better Christmas. 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:38.620 A lasting joy. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.980 Perhaps today you will see 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.759 your need of this Jesus. 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.559 Jesus who grows up, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:46.439 lives the life we fail to live, 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.399 dies the death 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:49.419 that we all deserve. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.399 Perhaps with Luke you will say 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.580 what is Christmas about? 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.340 Well it's an historical event 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.340 that really happens 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:58.139 and that changes absolutely everything 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.899 about absolutely everything. 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:02.519 Perhaps you'll see that it was essential. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.519 It wasn't just something that happened 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.319 way back then 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:06.600 which was a matter of history 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.899 but it's something that is so relevant 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.519 for us today. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:13.220 And perhaps you'll experience 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.199 that it's joyful. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:16.699 It is the most joyful good news 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:17.860 that you're welcomed into 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:20.279 this very day through faith 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:21.679 in Jesus Christ 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:23.460 this one who came to save us 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:24.600 from our sins 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:26.120 this one who came to save you 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.139 from your sins. 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.740 Christmas in three words. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.379 Historical, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.199 essential 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:35.060 and joyful. 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:36.400 Let me pray 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:38.080 and then we'll close our service 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:38.600 with a song. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:43.420 Father God 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:44.279 we thank you so much 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:45.440 that it is Christmas. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.980 We thank you so much 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.139 that it's a time 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.259 that we focus on 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.580 that first bit of the word 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.200 Christ. 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:54.840 Your son 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.000 come into this world 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.800 to save us 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.680 from our sins. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:00.899 Lord I thank you 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.940 that it really happened. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.620 I thank you 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.139 that Jesus 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.240 is really real. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.100 Father I thank you 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.639 that Christmas 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:09.440 is absolute good news. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:11.320 And Lord I thank you 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:12.180 that by believing 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:13.000 that good news 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.620 you change absolutely everything 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.659 about absolutely everything. 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:18.080 Father you change 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.720 our eternity. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.740 You give us new life 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.340 new hope 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.000 and new dawn. 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.360 You restore us 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.159 to a relationship 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.840 with yourself. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.899 So Lord I pray today 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.379 you would open our eyes 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.540 to see its relevance 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:31.180 its reliability 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:33.440 and that we might know 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:34.100 joy unspeaking 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:36.540 as a result of trusting 00:14:36.540 --> 00:14:37.159 in your son. 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:38.560 Father bless us 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:39.060 and help us 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.159 we pray in Jesus name. 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:40.980 Amen.