WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.640 We have been at this church since 1981, this building. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:37.200 So this year we're hoping that we'll redevelop. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:40.579 So maybe next year this place will be a building site. 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:43.899 Hopefully from then on, same time, same place, two years time. 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:46.799 Let me thank the readers and musicians. 00:00:47.019 --> 00:00:48.100 It sounds terrific. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:51.159 I wonder how you would describe Christmas. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:57.700 I wonder if I said you put Christmas into ten words, what would it be? 00:00:58.460 --> 00:01:01.140 How would you describe Christmas in ten words? 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:01.820 Could you sum it up? 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:05.719 There's a friend of mine who's a minister in a church in central London. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:10.439 And they've been asking people who work in businesses and offices in the city, 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:13.240 how they would sum up Christmas in under ten words. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:14.219 Let me give you some of them. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:19.920 There's one here, a one word answer, which is just the word expensive. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:29.740 There's another one, which is fun, friends, family, food, fruitcake, fairy lights and festivities. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:35.400 There's another one, the children seeing the joys on their faces. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:39.120 Here's another, a more poignant one, memories. 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:43.859 There's one that I won't read actually because the language is a little bit colourful. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:47.680 But it was to do with presents and booze, you can probably guess what it said. 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:51.360 But for a few moments, and before we sing our final carol, 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:56.000 I want to take you back to the very first Christmas, where it all started. 00:01:56.960 --> 00:02:00.960 It's the message from the angels to the shepherds. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.980 Nine words in the middle of Luke 2, 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:08.939 which take us back right to the original meaning of Christmas. 00:02:09.640 --> 00:02:14.159 The original message to the shepherds, and so to us this evening. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:17.520 Let me read you the whole sentence from chapter 2 and verses 10 and 11. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:19.259 The angels say, do not be afraid, 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:26.199 for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. 00:02:27.019 --> 00:02:30.539 Today in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you. 00:02:31.379 --> 00:02:32.800 He is Messiah. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:34.419 He is Lord. 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:36.719 You might think that's much longer than nine words, isn't it? 00:02:36.859 --> 00:02:37.859 Let me give you the nine words. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:42.819 Good news of great joy for all the people. 00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:47.159 Good news of great joy for all the people. 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:48.919 We've got small children. 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:52.560 This Christmas is our daughter Phoebe's first Christmas. 00:02:52.739 --> 00:02:54.659 She's 11 months. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:58.959 And when you're 11 months, thankfully presents are not very important, are they? 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.719 And you'll notice with very, very little children, 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:08.280 they are as happy with the wrapping paper or the packaging as they are with the gifts. 00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:13.240 So you spend ages selecting the Peppa Pig onesie, 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.540 or the Thomas the Tank Engine toy. 00:03:17.260 --> 00:03:19.540 But actually when you give them to the little babies, what are they interested in? 00:03:19.600 --> 00:03:20.939 They're not really interested in the gifts. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:23.360 What they care about is the bright, shiny wrapping paper. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:29.540 And wouldn't it be a tragedy if as adults or as young people we made the same mistake? 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:33.780 That we missed the main gift of Christmas. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:39.760 For the sake of all the wrapping paper and all the trimmings and all the packaging that goes with it. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.260 So nine words that describe Christmas. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:44.860 Good news of great joy for all the people. 00:03:45.440 --> 00:03:47.180 It's five into three very easily. 00:03:47.320 --> 00:03:48.500 The first thing is good news. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:50.000 It is good news. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:57.300 Now we are used to, aren't we, hearing an awful lot of bad news on our TV screen, on our internet pages. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:00.020 We are used to bad news. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:05.979 In fact, the last couple of months have been probably more tragic than usual, haven't they? 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.659 You think back to the bombs in Paris. 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:12.180 You think of the war in Syria. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:15.159 You think of the shootings in the US. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.600 Stabbings on the tube. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:24.160 And actually, I think that the shepherds in that passage in Luke 2 that was read to us weren't expecting good news either. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.259 When these huge angels arrived in the sky. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:33.100 In fact, it says in the verse before, it says they were terrified when they saw them. 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:35.899 But they are told, do not be afraid. 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.139 I bring you good news. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:41.220 I don't know what you think of the message of Christianity. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:46.340 I don't know what kind of word association would come into your mind when I say the word Christianity. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:51.260 But Christianity, at its core, is good news. 00:04:52.080 --> 00:04:53.660 It's not something to be afraid of. 00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:59.520 Wonderful good news tonight in a world of bad news. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:03.859 Secondly, it's good news of great joy. 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:07.799 And that same tone is carried on right the way through Luke 2. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:09.819 It's news of great joy. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:11.139 It's something to celebrate. 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:14.719 It's something, Christianity, which makes you sin. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:18.660 Why is it such good news of great joy? 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:20.160 Well, the rest of the sentence tells you. 00:05:20.940 --> 00:05:23.020 It is good news of great joy for all the people. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:28.100 Because today, in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you. 00:05:28.760 --> 00:05:29.600 The Messiah. 00:05:30.460 --> 00:05:31.220 The Lord. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.840 The royal town of David is Bethlehem. 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:36.080 That's what it is. 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:40.880 And this is a king who is born to be Messiah. 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:43.120 He is the long-awaited king. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:46.680 And we've read from Genesis, and from Isaiah, and from Micah. 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:48.519 500, 800 years. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:52.319 Even before that, they were looking for this rescuer. 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:53.360 This saviour. 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:56.139 The people have been waiting for centuries. 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:59.379 So he is no ordinary baby. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:02.540 And as I said earlier, we had a baby born. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:04.360 I mean, our family in January. 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:06.360 There's been a couple of other babies born in the church. 00:06:06.699 --> 00:06:08.579 And all babies bring joy, don't they? 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:10.500 All babies bring joy. 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:11.680 They bring sleepless nights. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.300 They bring nappies. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:15.560 They bring occasional trips to the hospital. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.160 But lots of joy. 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:20.379 But this is no ordinary baby. 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:22.740 This is a king. 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:25.300 This is the Messiah. 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:28.699 But also, he is a saviour. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.800 Today, in the town of David, our verse says, 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:34.160 A saviour has been born to you. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:38.700 I wonder what the words come to your mind when you think of saviour. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:39.760 When you think of rescuer. 00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:42.040 When I think of rescue, I think of the AA. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:44.260 Or the RAC, isn't it? 00:06:44.260 --> 00:06:45.280 I'm not very good with mechanics. 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:49.520 But I think to be an RAC man, or an AA man, 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:51.420 it would be the coolest job, wouldn't it? 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:55.160 They ride around in these great kind of orange vans, 00:06:56.200 --> 00:06:57.160 or luminous motorbikes. 00:06:57.160 --> 00:07:01.740 They seem to have these great kind of outfits that they arrive in, 00:07:01.780 --> 00:07:03.020 which are slightly spacey. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:05.180 It would be a wonderful job, wouldn't it? 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:07.280 So let's just imagine. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:08.780 Let's imagine you're driving home for Christmas. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.900 It is freezing. 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:13.260 Unlike this December. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.460 We'll throw in some snow as well, just for good measure. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:19.400 But suddenly you have a problem with your car. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.840 You're driving in the fast lane, 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:22.759 but you notice that you can't accelerate. 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:24.560 So you move into the middle lane. 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:26.060 You think, oh, it must be just the hill. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:29.159 But as you put your foot on the accelerator again, 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.279 nothing happens. 00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:33.179 And suddenly you find yourself at 60 mile per hour, 00:07:33.299 --> 00:07:34.179 50 mile per hour, 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.759 40 mile per hour, 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:37.439 and you're in the slow lane. 00:07:38.299 --> 00:07:40.859 It's at 20 mile per hour with your kids in the back, 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:42.479 shouting, are we there yet? 00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:43.879 For the 15th time, 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.679 when you realise there's something really wrong with the car. 00:07:47.539 --> 00:07:49.139 It's one of those Belgian lorries 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:52.839 with huge great floodlights seemingly right on your tail. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:55.459 And you feel like you're going backwards. 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:58.180 People are flashing their lights at you 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.459 because you're going so slow. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:04.000 And so you indicate with all your family there, 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:05.599 and you pull over to the hard shoulder. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:08.159 You know what it's like when you're on the side of the motorway. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.479 You know you can't stay in the car. 00:08:09.479 --> 00:08:10.740 So you get the kids, 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:13.719 wife, husband, or the boyfriend, or the girlfriend, 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:14.599 out of the car. 00:08:15.159 --> 00:08:17.319 And it is chucking it down with snow. 00:08:17.719 --> 00:08:18.599 It is windy. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:20.180 And you are there, 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:21.919 perched on the embankment. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.800 It's absolutely freezing. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:26.240 You've run the RAC, 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:29.360 but it feels like you've been there for four hours. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:33.059 Nobody is glad to be on the side of the motorway. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.740 And then suddenly, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.639 in the distance, 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:36.399 you see them. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.340 The orange van 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.240 with the flashing lights. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.600 And they arrive, 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.840 and he steps out, 00:08:42.920 --> 00:08:45.019 like this kind of a donet swearing, 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:46.440 a leather onesie, 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:48.399 and a shiny helmet. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:50.279 And he comes over, 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:51.800 he fiddles with your car for a bit, 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:53.540 and he fixes it. 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.680 He gives you even a cup of hot chocolate from his flask. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:58.899 He is a rescuer, 00:08:59.019 --> 00:08:59.339 isn't he? 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:00.739 And you say, 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.139 you've rescued me. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:03.879 You've saved Christmas. 00:09:05.079 --> 00:09:06.159 You can't beat the AA. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:09.019 The AA is all about rescue. 00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:11.839 And that's what Christmas is all about. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.500 It's all about rescue. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:18.519 It's easy to miss the significance of Christmas, 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:19.019 isn't it? 00:09:19.780 --> 00:09:21.100 All the festivities, 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:22.220 the fun, 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:23.540 the friends, 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:24.660 the fruitcake, 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.500 the family, 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.980 all the food. 00:09:27.940 --> 00:09:30.240 And it's easy to miss the big point of Christmas, 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:33.580 that Jesus came to be a saviour. 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:36.480 He came to be a saviour. 00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:38.480 Not from the hard shoulder, 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:41.440 not from the embankment on the side of a motorway, 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.960 but a saviour from sin. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.600 Who are sinners? 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:47.980 If you live where I live, 00:09:48.020 --> 00:09:49.300 you've got the people who fly tip. 00:09:49.640 --> 00:09:50.460 They're the sinners, 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:50.960 isn't they? 00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:54.120 They're the really awful people that you can never catch. 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:55.200 Fly tippers. 00:09:56.380 --> 00:09:56.900 Or you think, 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:57.460 people who steal, 00:09:57.560 --> 00:09:58.460 I read this this week, 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.580 in 2013, 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:01.820 the Centre for Retail Research 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:02.960 estimated that 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:05.780 £978 million of business 00:10:05.780 --> 00:10:07.600 was lost to shoplifting 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:09.240 and employee theft 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:10.460 during the six weeks 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.519 running up to Christmas. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:12.700 It's astonishing, isn't it? 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.280 £978 million. 00:10:15.540 --> 00:10:16.440 Lost the fever. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.560 But before I start pointing the finger at others, 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:22.379 I notice that there are three fingers 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.820 pointing back at me on there. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.019 And I notice too, 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.920 as I understand something of the Bible's message, 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:29.800 that actually I am a thief as well. 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:32.000 I've not stolen from M&S. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.740 I don't fly tip, 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:34.240 I promise. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.399 But actually, 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.580 each one of us steals 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.259 on a daily basis. 00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:43.440 We steal God's place. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.620 God is the one who made this world. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.000 God is the one who made you. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:52.580 And God is the one who sits on the throne 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:55.000 and we try to steal his place 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:58.080 as if we should be in charge 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:00.300 of our lives. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.040 As if we should run our life 00:11:03.040 --> 00:11:04.240 without any reference to him. 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:05.100 So we ignore him. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:07.220 And the Bible calls that sin. 00:11:08.540 --> 00:11:10.780 Living as if we are in charge 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:12.940 in a world that belongs to God. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:15.920 But the wonderful good news 00:11:15.920 --> 00:11:17.000 of this message 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.120 of the first Christmas 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.620 is that there is another F. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.720 That it's not just 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.500 festivity and family 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.860 and food and fruitcake 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.700 and fairy lights. 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:26.780 We'll all be enjoying 00:11:26.780 --> 00:11:28.220 all those things this Christmas. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.320 But it's possible for you 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.400 to enjoy an even more wonderful F 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:34.000 this season. 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.620 It's the F, forgiveness. 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:41.220 Jesus is the Saviour and the King. 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:43.379 And then the final thing 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.180 in these words 00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:45.300 there is good news 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.660 of great joy 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:48.440 for all the people. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:50.879 The Saviour King 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.139 has come for 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.660 all kinds of people. 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.920 I think that's the point 00:11:55.920 --> 00:11:56.560 of the shepherds. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.720 You might not have asked that question. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.860 Why the shepherds? 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:00.240 Why are they included in the story? 00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:03.240 Well when Princess Charlotte 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.860 of Cambridge was born 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:05.279 wasn't she? 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.379 In May. 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:08.300 When she was born in that hospital 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:09.259 she was surrounded by 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.540 the top surgeons of the country. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.399 on royalties. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:14.120 She was born in one of the best hospitals. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.440 And it was announced 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:16.820 wasn't it 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:18.460 on a framed piece of paper 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:20.320 on a golden easel 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.480 outside of Buckingham Palace. 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:25.639 When our little baby figure is born 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.960 and seemingly when every other baby 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.680 is born isn't it? 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:28.680 We announce it 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:29.000 don't we? 00:12:29.040 --> 00:12:29.700 By text. 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:31.060 You get one of those texts. 00:12:31.160 --> 00:12:32.000 We're delighted 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.019 to announce. 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.300 We're overjoyed 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:35.120 to tell you. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:37.100 Or you get an email 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.920 attached with loads of photos 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.719 of a slightly bedraggled man 00:12:40.719 --> 00:12:42.039 holding a baby. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.779 When Princess Charlotte was born 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:49.339 surrounded by top surgeons 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:50.419 and royalty 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.379 announced 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.639 on a framed piece of paper 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.819 on a golden easel. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.599 But when Jesus Christ was born 00:12:57.599 --> 00:12:59.299 he was royalty. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.479 He was royalty. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:04.659 The royal family of God 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:05.379 God's son 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:07.019 was born in a cow shed. 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.320 Surrounded by animals. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.200 Yes wise men 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.220 came from the east 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:12.700 bringing gold and frankincense 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.340 and myrrh. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.279 But the first people 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.420 to know about the arrival 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.200 of this baby 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:17.740 were the shepherds. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.340 And I don't need to remind you 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.840 the kind of people 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.720 that shepherds work with. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.779 They worked with dumb 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.779 smelly animals. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:26.100 Back then 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.679 the shepherds 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.059 were often 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:28.600 the poorest of society. 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:29.620 They were really 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.480 on the margins. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.899 They were outcasts. 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:33.939 The angels 00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:34.839 could have announced 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:35.339 couldn't they 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.139 the birth 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.039 of the child 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.139 came to politicians 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.579 to media outlets 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:41.559 to famous celebrities. 00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.620 But they announced 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.379 the good news 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.419 of that first Christmas 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:46.539 to shepherds 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:48.179 with pretty 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.759 anti-social 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.579 working hours. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.759 And some of you 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.419 can relate to that. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.059 You say 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:53.539 well actually 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.699 I'm not a church goer. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.479 I don't do 00:13:56.479 --> 00:13:58.059 this religious stuff. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.319 But could this message 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:01.739 of Christmas 00:14:01.739 --> 00:14:02.500 be for me? 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:04.799 I work in a hospital. 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:07.439 I work in an office. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.539 I work in a school. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.339 I sell the big issue. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.219 These words tell us 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:16.339 that it is good news 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.159 of great joy 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.719 for all people. 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:21.439 No one is too bad 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:21.879 for Jesus. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.759 It's possible 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.419 to be too good 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.419 but no one is too bad. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.259 Good news 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.159 of great joy 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.100 for all the people. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.480 How do we respond? 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:30.879 Let me give you 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.379 three things 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:31.939 really briefly 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.419 as I finish. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.039 How do you respond? 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:33.620 First of all 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.080 stop. 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:35.939 Stop. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.860 Maybe we shouldn't 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.600 just launch 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.519 into another Christmas 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.519 on autopilot. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:45.059 I know nothing 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:45.879 about Star Wars. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.740 I've never been to 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.539 see any of the films. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.799 I think I might have 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.439 been to see one 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.699 but I've forgotten it. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.899 But I know nothing 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.220 about it. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.939 I can't really tell 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:54.500 the difference between 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.039 Star Trek and Star Wars. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.740 It just has passed me by. 00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.620 I never had the models 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.100 as children. 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.279 And so this week 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.340 has been this incredible 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.279 bombardment 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.259 from every angle 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.179 of you must be 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.159 into Star Wars. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.799 What do I have to do 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.399 if I want to get into it? 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:09.959 I've got to stop. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.500 I've got to look 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.079 who Darth Vader is 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:13.839 and who Luke Skywalker is 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.259 and CP30 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.579 or whoever these people are. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.059 Harrison Ford is in it 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.519 I think. 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.439 I need to stop 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:19.759 and look 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.480 and I need to go 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:20.959 to the cinema 00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:22.240 and see it. 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.259 And maybe with Christmas 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.639 actually you need to stop 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.779 and not just go through 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.439 it on autopilot. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.399 Grab one of the books 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.079 that will be there 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:32.279 as you go out. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.480 Stop. 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.279 And think about 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.899 Jesus Christ 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.019 because if he is 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:38.100 who he says he is 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.779 there's nothing 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.960 more relevant for you. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:41.759 Stop. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.600 Second thing is ask. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.659 Ask those questions. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.500 If you're a visitor tonight 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.399 probably I've raised 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.559 more questions to you 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.620 than I've talked once 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:50.939 tonight. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.379 The virgin birthed 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.000 angels 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.939 a speaking God 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:56.460 who becomes one of us. 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.559 And it does raise 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.480 lots of questions 00:15:59.480 --> 00:15:59.919 doesn't it? 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.120 Maybe this seems like 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.399 fairy stories to you. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.460 But actually the claim 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.059 of the Bible is 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.120 this is history. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.840 Verifiable history 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.519 that you can build 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.360 your life upon. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.320 So why not 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.019 go to the person 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.519 who brought you 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:12.860 or the person 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.500 who gave you the flower 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.080 and ask them 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.720 those questions. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.259 Or a friend 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.259 come back on a Sunday 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.139 morning or an evening. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.600 Say to one of the people 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:18.840 here 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.419 let's go to the pub 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.259 and talk about it. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:22.960 Stop. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.000 Ask. 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.279 And then lastly 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:26.840 give. 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:28.759 If you're a visitor 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.379 to the church tonight 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.899 you might be thinking 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.440 well I knew 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.139 we'd get to this. 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.039 I knew we'd. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.080 Churches are always 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.639 wanting your money 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:33.879 aren't they? 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.720 That's what they're after. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.620 Give. 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.740 Let me explain 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.779 what I mean by that. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.600 I don't want your money 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.519 and neither does God. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.720 We're not taking 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.779 a collection this evening. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:46.460 The mince pies 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.419 are free. 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.240 In fact you can take 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.879 loads of them all. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.000 And of course 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.379 I'm saying 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.279 give presents away. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:52.840 Be generous 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.340 this Christmas. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.379 But the giving 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.539 that the Bible 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.240 demands of you 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.679 is that you 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.740 give yourself. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:01.340 what God 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.080 wants from you 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.320 tonight 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.960 is not that you 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.059 suddenly change 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.539 and become 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.700 a better person. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.019 That you stop 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.839 overeating 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.700 at Christmas. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.920 But what God 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.579 wants from you 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.160 is he wants you 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.539 to give yourself. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.059 What the Bible 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.660 asks of you 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.099 is that you 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.779 hand over 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.839 control of your 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.759 life to 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.559 the Lord Jesus. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.599 That you 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.120 acknowledge 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:24.819 that he is 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:25.500 good news 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.140 of great joy 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:28.980 because he is 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.820 saviour 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.900 and Lord. 00:17:31.020 --> 00:17:31.680 He is boss. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.040 And actually 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:34.600 it's a frightening 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.120 thing to do 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.520 isn't it? 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.620 But Christmas 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.780 demands that you 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:39.980 give of yourself 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:42.400 and come under 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.480 his control 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.900 and live with 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.080 God in his 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:48.160 rightful place. 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:49.880 Because God 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.480 has so loved 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.980 the world 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.580 that he's given 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.500 his one and only 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:53.900 son. 00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:55.759 That whoever 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.540 believes in him 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.599 shall not 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.279 perish 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.799 but have 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.519 eternal life. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.299 Stop. 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:02.940 Ask. 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:04.720 Give. 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.319 Let's bow our 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.740 heads in prayer. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.259 Let's pray. 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.420 Heavenly Father 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:10.980 we thank you 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:12.220 that the 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.000 Bible teaches 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.339 us a message 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.119 of good news 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.599 of great joy 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:19.639 of a saviour 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.420 who is born 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:22.180 who is Lord 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.599 of all. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.720 And I pray 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.259 for each one 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.480 of us 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.140 wherever we 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.799 are at 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.460 in this 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.660 journey 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.519 whether we've 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:28.920 never heard 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.420 anything like 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.079 this before 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.460 whether we've 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.059 heard it many 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.400 times 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:32.900 whether we are 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.779 full of more 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.640 questions than 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.120 answers 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.960 that your 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.460 Holy Spirit 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.160 would take 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.079 these truths 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.880 and apply them 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.539 deeply in our 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.059 lives 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.019 and not let us 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.420 go through 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.120 another Christmas 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.920 on autopilot 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.700 for we pray 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.519 this in Jesus 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.980 name. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.539 Amen.