WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.540
 Hands up, who's ready for tomorrow?

00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:06.919
 Okay, okay.

00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:10.080
 Show off.

00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:16.980
 Hands up, who's feeling a little bit frazzled by just getting here today?

00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:24.120
 You may not want to admit to this one, but I will.

00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:32.700
 Hands up, who has been so busy getting ready to celebrate peace and goodwill that in fact,

00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:37.260
 you've really been lacking peace and goodwill this week.

00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:40.740
 Yeah, yeah.

00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:43.719
 I struggle to focus.

00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:49.820
 I really, you know, it's the lists, it's the to-dos, the what-ifs, the don't forget.

00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:51.460
 It's a lot, right?

00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:55.020
 And, you know, it's too much.

00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:57.759
 For me, I worry.

00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:01.160
 And I'm pretty good at that.

00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:03.920
 I am pretty good at focusing on that.

00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:08.920
 And so I really relate to Martha here.

00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:15.859
 Guests have turned up at her house, not just any guests, Jesus and his disciples.

00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:17.920
 They've all been traveling.

00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:19.799
 They need feeding.

00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:22.099
 There is no dominoes.

00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:25.299
 There is no takeaway delivery service.

00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:29.159
 Well, who's going to do it?

00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:31.579
 Martha.

00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:33.359
 What a stress.

00:01:33.479 --> 00:01:34.500
 And so she looks around.

00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:36.179
 Where's her sister to help?

00:01:38.039 --> 00:01:38.560
 Nowhere.

00:01:39.259 --> 00:01:39.739
 Great.

00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:45.560
 You can imagine the stress feeding that many people without preparation, without knowing,

00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:48.519
 hey, I have done two Asda shops this week already.

00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:50.819
 Because I'm preparing.

00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:52.859
 She had no preparation time.

00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:56.899
 But she plays to her strengths and she gets in the kitchen.

00:01:56.900 --> 00:02:06.320
 Can you, though, relate to those pushes, those pulls, those expectations that you put on yourself,

00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:16.540
 the reality of the commitments, the offering to help, the balancing life, relationships, wealth, work, health, children, pets,

00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:22.179
 just your general well-being, your self-improvement, faith.

00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:23.799
 Then there's surprises.

00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:25.139
 Life throws in the mix.

00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:26.379
 It is a lot.

00:02:27.399 --> 00:02:28.659
 There is a lot to carry.

00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:33.699
 And then you think, did I buy enough cranberry sauce?

00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:43.519
 Proverbs tells us that an anxious heart weighs a man down.

00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:45.839
 And boy, does it do that.

00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:50.339
 We also know that worry is like a rocking chair.

00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.500
 It gives you something to do and nowhere to go.

00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:58.719
 But Jesus, in this story, he sees Martha.

00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:05.419
 And he understands the many worries she has, the many stresses, the strains, the pulls.

00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:10.199
 And I think he's quite compassionate with her, actually.

00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:17.620
 You are worried and upset about many things, but few are needed.

00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:20.020
 Indeed, only one.

00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:23.039
 Mary has chosen what is better.

00:03:23.500 --> 00:03:26.240
 And that will not be taken away from her.

00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:39.180
 You see, in her eagerness to serve Jesus, Martha almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus.

00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:47.400
 And absolutely, serving God is a natural result of hearing his word and following in Jesus' footsteps.

00:03:47.800 --> 00:03:49.000
 It's a wonderful thing.

00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:52.039
 But so is being still.

00:03:52.039 --> 00:03:58.039
 And when God tells us not to worry, it isn't a suggestion, it's a command.

00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:03.539
 You see, the kingdom of God is a paradox.

00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:09.000
 While the world applaws achievement, God desires companionship.

00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:13.680
 While the world clamors, do more.

00:04:14.019 --> 00:04:17.899
 But you can be, buy low, sell high, achieve, achieve, achieve.

00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:19.899
 Our father whispers.

00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:20.560
 Our father whispers.

00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:24.560
 Be still.

00:04:25.859 --> 00:04:27.539
 And know that I am God.

00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:40.479
 But if you, like me, are like Martha, and if your to-do list, your worry list is never ending, if it gnaws at you.

00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:44.140
 Know that is not what God wants for you.

00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:47.780
 He doesn't want you overwhelmed, overworked, and burnt out.

00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:50.420
 Know he wants peace for you.

00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:54.480
 Jesus said, peace I leave with you.

00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:01.020
 My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, but I give to you.

00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:04.759
 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:12.060
 And so tomorrow we celebrate the peace that God gave us that came in the form of a baby.

00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:24.699
 I know, I know, but hopefully most of you will know what it's like to hold a baby.

00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:31.060
 If not, you've seen it with nieces, nephews, cousins, friends.

00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:37.620
 You know when that baby sleeps on your chest, you're not going to get anything done, are you?

00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:40.439
 There is one, you don't want to wake it.

00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:43.720
 But let's forget that bit.

00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:51.279
 The beauty of holding that baby on your chest, and it sleeps, and you listen to it breathe.

00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.840
 That is really special.

00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:00.060
 And you hold it, and you think about the potential it has.

00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.879
 You can't get anything done.

00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:07.100
 You can only focus on that one thing.

00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:14.259
 And so I don't think it's such a coincidence that Jesus came as a baby.

00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:20.620
 That tiny thing, the only thing you can focus on, you know, when you hold it, you can't get anything done.

00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:22.759
 It's amazing, it's full of potential.

00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:26.620
 And that is God's gift to us, that baby.

00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:36.620
 All his life, Jesus told us to focus on him, to follow him, to pray instead of worry,

00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:42.139
 to take his hand when the wind and the waves felt too big and too strong.

00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:56.779
 And so tomorrow, as we celebrate Christmas Day, we celebrate Jesus' birth, the day God gave us a baby to love, to cherish, to hold, to be still and focus on.

00:06:56.779 --> 00:07:04.299
 Let's try to focus a little bit more than we have been, certainly this week.

00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:12.000
 Like I said, the kingdom of God is a paradox, while the world applauds achievement.

00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:15.780
 God desires your companionship.

00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:19.960
 The world clamors, do more, be all you can be.

00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:25.400
 But our Heavenly Father whispers, be still and know that I am God.

00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:36.399
 I pray that if, like Martha, there are things that trouble you, distract you, weigh you down, that you would be brave enough to offer them to God,

00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:45.099
 and in turn receive Jesus, who came as a baby, that we would know his light, his love, and his peace.

00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.239
 Let's pray.

00:07:55.399 --> 00:08:01.899
 Heavenly Father, Prince of Peace, wonderful counsellor, light in the darkness,

00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:06.679
 thank you for the gift of life.

00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:11.120
 Thank you that you came as a baby to save us,

00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:15.539
 to lift us out of darkness, out of despair and sin.

00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.299
 God, would you help us to be still?

00:08:20.539 --> 00:08:22.439
 Would you help us to focus on you?

00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:28.779
 Would you help us not to have a worry list, but have a wonder list, and we remember all your promises.

00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:40.799
 Lord, for the worries, the fears, and the hurt, we ask for your help and your healing, your perfect peace.

00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:42.639
 Amen.

00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:49.039
 We would just also have a short time of intercessions as well.

00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:52.879
 Martin Luther King said,

00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:56.079
 Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.

00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:59.759
 Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.939
 Well, in him was life,

00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:06.819
 and in that life was the light of all mankind.

00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.779
 The light shines in the darkness,

00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:11.659
 and the darkness has not overcome it.

00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:14.000
 Let's pray.

00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:20.480
 Lord, thank you for the light and the darkness,

00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.320
 that is you,

00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.399
 that is Jesus Christ,

00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.600
 as a babe.

00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.019
 Lord, no matter what the darkness of this world is,

00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:31.980
 we know you are perfect love

00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:32.980
 and perfect peace,

00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:34.620
 and we praise you for that.

00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:40.220
 Lord, thank you that you accept us as we are,

00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.080
 that you love us as we are,

00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.539
 and that you forgive us despite all we are.

00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:51.820
 Lord, we pray for situations in our lives

00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:53.879
 and the lives of those known to us,

00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:58.060
 for situations further afield where we need your peace.

00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:12.519
 Lord, for the unknown in our lives,

00:10:12.619 --> 00:10:14.979
 we claim you as our cornerstone,

00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.239
 our light in the darkness.

00:10:17.359 --> 00:10:19.119
 For the hurt, we know you are healer.

00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:22.719
 We know you are our found foundation.

00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:28.980
 Lord, we live in a world that needs your light,

00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:32.379
 but instead faces such darkness,

00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:36.639
 natural disasters, conflicts, war,

00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.960
 power plays at the cost of others.

00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:43.600
 There are many today who will find themselves

00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.899
 a migrant, a refugee,

00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.759
 bereaved, displaced, and in despair.

00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:59.340
 God, we pray for your peace and your healing

00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.920
 and your light in the darkness.

00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:09.420
 Today we do remember those who are bereaved,

00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.399
 who are alone,

00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:14.580
 separated,

00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:20.200
 those in families and relationships of high tension.

00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:27.240
 God, at this time of you,

00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.560
 when we celebrate your peace,

00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:31.460
 we pray for your peace and healing

00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:35.340
 and your light in the darkness of those situations.

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:45.639
 Dear God, we give thanks for the food banks

00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.840
 and local charities, homeless shelters,

00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:52.580
 all working so hard to shine that light this Christmas.

00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:57.100
 God, would you bless the volunteers

00:11:57.100 --> 00:12:01.480
 and would you bring those in

00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:06.300
 who need peace, they need shelter.

00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.320
 Heavenly Father, we praise you

00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:17.100
 for your hand on our lives,

00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.320
 for your light in the darkness.

00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:23.260
 Lord Jesus, help us to love each other

00:12:23.260 --> 00:12:24.320
 as you have commanded.

00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:26.060
 Amen.

00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:26.180
 Amen.

00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:26.220
 Amen.

00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.260
 Amen.

00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:26.280
 Amen.

00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:26.300
 Amen.

00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:33.459
 Amen.

00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.419
 Amen.

00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:35.539
 Amen.

00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:35.959
 Amen.

00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:36.059
 Amen.

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.240
 Amen.

00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.439
 Amen.

00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:41.699
 Amen.

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.159
 Amen.

00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.219
 Amen.

00:12:45.219 --> 00:12:48.419
 Amen.

00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.799
 Amen.

00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.279
 Amen.

00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:52.779
 Amen.