WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.040 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. 00:00:05.660 --> 00:00:10.120 ! In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:10.800 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.039 Rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:42.439 For the yoke of his burden and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:49.460 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:55.679 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:05.200 and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:12.140 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom. 00:01:12.939 --> 00:01:18.799 To establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore, 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:21.599 the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 00:01:21.960 --> 00:01:23.019 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:25.200 So Lord, we come to you now. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:28.840 As we open your word. 00:01:30.959 --> 00:01:32.640 Holy Spirit, would you cut to our hearts? 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:35.959 We yearn to hear from you. 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:39.199 We rejoice because of you. 00:01:40.979 --> 00:01:45.179 But we come as broken people, hurting, in need of healing. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:51.440 And while we know that you came to bring joy to the world, 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:56.640 your kingdom is here, but already, but not yet. 00:01:57.380 --> 00:01:58.420 And there is still pain. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:01:59.840 There is still suffering. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:01.560 There is still hurt. 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:02.300 There is still grief. 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:06.340 There is still darkness that surrounds us. 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:12.780 For this morning we turn our eyes to the light. 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:15.719 Would your face shine upon us? 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:17.219 In your name we pray. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:18.300 Amen. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:19.460 Please take a seat. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:27.060 You better watch out. 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:29.659 You better not cry. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:34.020 I'm going to tell you why. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.540 Santa Claus is coming to town. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.280 He's making a list. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:43.599 He's going to check it twice. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:48.819 And he's going to find out whether you're naughty or nice. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:53.259 He sees you when you're sleeping. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:55.520 He knows when you're awake. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.639 He knows if you've been bad or good. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:00.379 So be good for heaven's sake. 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:03.319 You better watch out. 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:04.420 You better not cry. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:06.420 You better not pout. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:07.639 I'm telling you why. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:10.960 Santa Claus is coming to town. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:12.280 Santa Claus is coming to town. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:18.479 I wonder how much of contemporary culture and Christmassy things 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:21.259 impacts the way we perceive Christmas. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.420 I wonder how much our understanding of Santa 00:03:25.420 --> 00:03:28.699 impacts the way we see Jesus. 00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:30.780 I just wonder. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:34.979 Last week I talked a little bit about a quadrilateral. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:37.840 Does anyone remember what the name of the quadrilateral was? 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:40.240 Angel Gabriel. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:42.699 The Wesleyan quadrilateral. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.640 I was talking a little bit about your theological method. 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:50.460 What really impacted you to go on this journey of faith? 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:53.659 What has affected your approach to God? 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:57.639 Bonus points for those who even remember what they were. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:03:59.020 What was the first one? 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:00.420 Scripture. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:00.879 Scripture. 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:01.520 Scripture. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:05.979 This book impacts and tells you a little bit about your knowledge of God. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:06.460 What else? 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:07.060 Reason. 00:04:08.480 --> 00:04:08.840 Reason. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:09.560 Reason. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:10.879 That's another one. 00:04:11.140 --> 00:04:11.580 Another one? 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:12.879 Tradition. 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:15.460 Just going to church week in, week out. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:16.579 Observing service. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.199 Maybe not quite like this service, but tradition. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:20.139 And the final one? 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:21.259 Experience. 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:25.920 One of those four impacted the way you approach faith. 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:30.780 I want to ask you, actually, as you look around and as you experience even just Christmas here, 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:36.879 how much of Christmas that we see outside have we impacted how we even think about what Christmas really is? 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:43.579 I was at an event a couple of nights ago and someone was asked, hey, when you think about Christmas, what do you think about? 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:48.240 And you think about, oh, well, family, friends, food, shopping. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:52.120 I was like, those are such great things to say and those are such good things. 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:57.620 But my goodness, have we missed the point of what Christmas actually is? 00:04:57.620 --> 00:05:06.480 As we look and as we see the wonderful portrayals, the incredibly accurate portrayals of the shepherds and the unwise men, 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:16.780 it got me thinking, as we've been going through the book of Luke, we've been seeing different people approach Christmas 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:20.079 or be confronted by Christmas in a very different way. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:27.319 You've got Zechariah and Simeon and Anna who have just been steeped in tradition, just diligently. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:30.899 Every day, just following tradition, following the laws. 00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:36.720 And then you've got the shepherds who are most likely brought out of their minds and then they encounter not tradition, 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:38.280 they encounter experience. 00:05:38.840 --> 00:05:42.100 The whole sky lights up and it changes everything that they do. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:45.439 And then you've got Mary. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:52.100 Mary is confronted by Christmas and you see something come out of Mary, which is actually, 00:05:52.860 --> 00:05:54.500 my prayer is that all of us would have this. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:56.720 She just bursts out in scripture. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:00.040 Teenage Mary knew scripture so well. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:03.600 If you look at her song, you will see that she knew scripture so well. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:09.459 Her song basically mirrors Hannah's song in the Old Testament and you can see she is just seeped in scripture. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:15.079 And then you've got the wise men or the mad guy or the people who are looking. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:20.019 Of course, even that, how much of that has our knowledge of even the wise men, 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.220 how much of it has been influenced by just contemporary culture? 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:24.600 We sing a song, we three kings of Orient are. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:27.160 We know they came from the east, but we know they're not actually kings. 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:29.340 The song said they're kings, but they're not really. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:32.340 And I'm not here trying to deconstruct every part of Christmas. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:33.580 I mean, why do we even have a tree? 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:34.660 Why do we have fairy lights? 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:35.900 Why is Nathan wearing a Santa hat? 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:42.599 All these questions are kind of like, well, what is Christmas truly about? 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:49.679 And as I think and as we think about Christmas, I'm encouraging us to go, well, actually, why are we here? 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:51.939 Why are we celebrating these things? 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:56.579 And basically asking us the same question every week. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:57.639 Where am I? 00:06:57.699 --> 00:06:58.400 Where is my heart? 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.680 How am I processing what these things are? 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:04.460 And how am I living and responding to the truth of Christmas? 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.079 What is it? 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.379 What's your quadrilateral? 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:10.519 And how are you impacted by society when it comes to Christmas? 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:15.379 And is your take on Christmas any different for someone who doesn't even know Jesus at all? 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:17.100 Or is it really the same thing? 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:17.860 Is it just the turkey? 00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:19.280 Is it the holiday? 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:20.779 Is it the family? 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:21.419 Is it the friends? 00:07:21.739 --> 00:07:23.219 Or is there something more? 00:07:23.599 --> 00:07:33.379 As we've been going through the book of Luke, chapter one and chapter two, you see when people are confronted by Christmas, their lives are completely changed. 00:07:34.619 --> 00:07:35.059 Completely. 00:07:36.979 --> 00:07:40.619 I'm going to use that term, confronted by Christmas, because I think Christmas invaded their reality. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:45.319 I don't think they were, well, they were, of course, Zechariah and Simeon were waiting. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:48.399 But actually, Christmas comes and just decides to come. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:50.259 The Holy Spirit decides to go, hey, now is the time. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:51.639 We've been waiting for 400 years. 00:07:51.919 --> 00:07:52.199 Boom. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.079 We're beginning. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:57.739 And you see, one by one, each person, their life is completely changed. 00:07:58.299 --> 00:08:01.759 And so my proposal to all of us here is this. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:07.719 If we are to be genuinely confronted by Christmas, it will lead to conviction and then it will lead to change. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:18.099 Just like what Braden said, there is no chance that they can sit in that field and watch the sheep in the same way anymore, considering what they just saw. 00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:22.960 There is no chance that Mary can be the same anymore. 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:26.640 There is no chance that Elizabeth can be the same anymore. 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:29.220 And you see, it's interesting. 00:08:29.520 --> 00:08:32.680 Christmas is confronting these people and different kinds of people. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:36.540 The shepherds, actually, they were not worthy, reliable witnesses in court. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:41.600 So they would actually, it was a bad group of people to introduce yourself to, as they said. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:43.279 LeBron James would have been much more appropriate. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:47.639 But it's not just the lowly, it's also the prominent, the wise men. 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:50.779 How do they get a time with the king? 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:54.059 Of course, they were people of prominence, of influence. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:58.579 They were approaching, their theological method was reason. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.039 They were trying to figure it out. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.819 They were trying to search for answers. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:10.360 All of them left after being confronted by Christmas, convicted to change. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:16.740 Are we confronted by Christmas and convicted to change? 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:26.000 Or are we merely comforted by Christmas with warm fuzzies that leave us feeling, oh, it's the most wonderful time of the year? 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:32.139 And last week I asked, hey, why was Christmas even needed? 00:09:33.180 --> 00:09:35.820 Why was peace needing to come to earth? 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:36.960 It was because there was no peace. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:45.960 Because there was war, not just war between nations, but there was war between families, within families, between people, within people. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:49.139 That's the brokenness that we exist in. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:56.120 Even this morning as we gathered as a family and as we have all this fun and we have candy cane hanging on the fairy lights. 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:56.800 I didn't see that. 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:57.759 I think that was you, Ellen, wasn't it? 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:01.340 Oh, and Bonnie, thank you. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:09.580 But we know, you know as well as I do, that this world is not a peaceful place right now. 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:21.840 We turned on the TV the other day and we wanted to watch the BBC news just to kind of help ourselves feel a little bit more at home. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:24.840 And my goodness, just news after news after news. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:25.780 I was like, man, you know what? 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.740 Let's just stop watching the news. 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.879 This world is not in a good place. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.019 We are not in a good place. 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:37.580 And actually, can we be a family that when we ask each other, how are you doing, be able to say, actually, no, I'm not doing well. 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.899 It's been a really tough week. 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.740 Things have not gone my way. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:48.019 I couldn't even get out of bed because I'm at war with myself. 00:10:48.539 --> 00:10:50.539 I know why I should do, but I don't do it. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.939 I know I shouldn't do, but I keep doing it. 00:10:52.940 --> 00:11:02.700 If that's you, and I'm pretty sure that's you, I know that's me, then may you be confronted by Christmas in a good way. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:06.560 Because Christmas comes and it changes people. 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:09.100 You see Zechariah, who was someone who was doubting. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.200 I mean, he's just like, what? 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:11.220 How can this even happen? 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:14.800 And suddenly he goes from someone who's doubting to someone who's now filled with faith. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:22.539 You see Mary, who's afraid because a big angel shows up and tells her, do not be afraid. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.299 And that, of course, helps. 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:27.319 And then she's just filled with joy. 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:31.279 The shepherds, maybe we're reading too much into this. 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:32.199 The shepherds were bored. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:36.320 But then they're confronted and they're spurred into action. 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:41.680 The wise men had an audience with the king. 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.960 Had prominence. 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:46.660 Politically, it wouldn't have made sense to disobey the king. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:50.280 But yet, after what they saw, they had to change. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.720 They had to avoid him. 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:52.960 They had to turn. 00:11:55.180 --> 00:12:00.240 Imagine, if you are genuinely confronted by Christmas, this Christmas, what would change in your life? 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:03.820 I know we're all sat here as people of hope. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:05.580 People who are pursuing peace. 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:07.100 People who want to have joy. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.700 But we know that we're not fully there. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:14.320 But what's the one thing that you can actually surrender and go, God, would you swap my anxiety for peace? 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.139 Would you swap my hate for love? 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:21.060 Would you swap my anger for reasonableness and patience? 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.220 Can you change me from the inside out? 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:27.980 Can you confront me with the truth of Christmas again? 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:30.639 Which is actually there was bad news and there is bad news. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:36.379 But then good news invades into our reality and seeks to change and transform. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:39.519 And last week I said that sometimes requires, that is a sword. 00:12:40.060 --> 00:12:43.440 That's what Simeon, the prophet, well, Simeon, he prophesied saying, 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:48.480 this sun is going to cause the fall and rise of many because he's going to pierce you. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:50.159 And you can't stay on the fence. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.639 You have to respond. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:56.220 You cannot respond moderately to Jesus. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:13:11.559 But so often maybe in this day and age, in this kind of Christmas, in this kind of city where each mower is just trying to one up each other by creating a more outrageous Christmas display in the atrium, 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:15.179 we've lost the truth of what really Christmas is. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:22.000 We're given warm fuzzies by the mulled wine, but we're not really convicted to change. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.119 We're simply mildly religious. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.279 Oh, yeah, Jesus, yeah. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:32.240 Can you understand how outrageous the story of Christmas is that mankind couldn't save itself so a baby was sent? 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.559 Can we not lose sight of that? 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:39.079 And may that change our reality. 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:46.360 So I'm going to ask you today, and I'm going to keep this message very short because I want a little bit of time, a reflection for all of us. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:52.879 Your approach to Christmas, your approach to this next week, what is it influenced by? 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.759 What's your quadrilateral? 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:54.659 Is it tradition? 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:58.680 Is it, hey, every family, every Christmas, my family goes to Disneyland. 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:01.600 I was with a family that does that on Christmas Day, go to Disneyland. 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.200 Or if you're into Japan, you're having KFC. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:06.680 Your approach to Christmas is just seeped in tradition. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:12.820 You open your presents on Christmas Day, or you do this, and you go and visit this family, or this family, or you do this. 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:18.160 Or your experience of Christmas is all about experience. 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.600 You want to go out into the Christmas markets. 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.460 You want to sing carols. 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.040 You want to do those things. 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:32.600 Or is your actual approach to Christmas is, my goodness, I'm a sinner. 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.840 I'm living in darkness. 00:14:36.140 --> 00:14:39.400 I'm confronted with the truth of Christmas, which is that I need a savior. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:44.220 And my goodness, I'm so grateful that he came. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:47.379 And he came and he turned the world upside down. 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:54.559 Because we thought he would be a warrior that would first overthrow the Romans, and then the rest of the world, and then we Christians would be on the top of the world. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:57.779 And he comes as a baby, right next to where the pigs poop. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:09.199 And he shows us, hey, change everything that you've ever thought you've known about me, about God, about the kingdom of heaven. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.759 Things are not as they seem. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:14.639 There is more to life than what we see. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:21.059 Christmas is way more than the fairy lights, or the reindeer, or the gingerbread. 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:24.379 It's an offensive story. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:30.059 It truly is an offensive story about a people that needed saving and couldn't save themselves. 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:33.279 May we be confronted by Christmas. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.599 May we be convicted in our hearts. 00:15:37.739 --> 00:15:40.959 And may we then lead us to change. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:44.379 So we do better watch out. 00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:47.500 We can cry. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.680 We better not to pout. 00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:54.920 And here's why. 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.780 Because Jesus Christ is coming again. 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:02.800 The story of Christmas isn't that Jesus came as a baby in a manger. 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:05.800 The story of Christmas is that the baby didn't stay there. 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:13.519 That he grew up in stature and wisdom, was without sin, and then gave his life for many. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:17.259 And the story of Christmas doesn't even just stop there. 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:21.579 Otherwise, that's not really that. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:23.699 I mean, one guy did great stuff. 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:31.759 The reason why we've carried on so many years is because we believe that this guy is coming back. 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:34.139 And he is coming to town. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:37.840 But not in the same way that the song sings about Santa. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:43.379 He's not coming to see who's naughty and who's nice and who deserves to go. 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:46.080 Whose church attendance is 80% or above. 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:52.699 The whole point of Christmas is that we are all not nice. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:56.080 That we all don't deserve to sit here. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:01.259 And yet all we have to do is just welcome him in. 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.460 And we can be sure. 00:17:04.100 --> 00:17:05.319 And scripture tells us so. 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:08.640 He won't come as a baby in a manger next time. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.880 He will come in glory. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.440 Riding on the clouds. 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:12.960 With trumpet sounds. 00:17:13.100 --> 00:17:17.779 And every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:23.119 Let us be confronted by the truth of Christmas today. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.240 Let us be convicted. 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.680 And let us change. 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.139 I'm just going to spend a moment now. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:33.480 And I want to ask you, before we have Alex and the team leaders in one final song, 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.799 it's just, is there one thing? 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:39.879 Is there one thing that you actually want to be transformed in? 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.539 That you want to change in? 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.759 Maybe it is fear. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.480 Maybe it's doubt. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.379 Maybe it's anxiety. 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.659 Maybe Christmas is just horrible for you. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.700 Because each time you have to go and hang out with your family. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:54.119 And they'll ask you whether you have achieved the next stage in life yet. 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:57.579 Because you're never enough just showing up. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.079 It's always, are you dating? 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.480 And then when are you getting married? 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.299 And then when are you having? 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:04.119 And you're just so tired of the same question over and over again. 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:07.039 Maybe it's just you're filled with trepidation for this Christmas season. 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:15.639 Or maybe you're so caught up in the Christmas season that you've actually forgotten why you're even celebrating all of this stuff. 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:21.619 Can I ask you to just all spend some time now and ask the Holy Spirit, 00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:23.919 what is the one thing that you are confronting me with today? 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:31.519 Because Christmas is really, truly bringing change and bringing life. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:35.539 I'm going to spend a moment of quiet reflection and then we're going to finish with a song. 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.200 Holy Spirit. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.139 We welcome you. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.920 I'd say would you invade our reality, 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:56.500 but the truth is would you just make us aware that you are our reality, 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:59.240 that you are the truth that surrounds us. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.740 And just as you did 2,000 years ago, 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:12.460 would you confront us now with the truth of the gospel? 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:20.360 Jesus said that you would come to convict the world of sin and righteousness. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.420 We sit here as a family 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:31.500 of people who, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.500 actually we have no way of making 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:35.740 the nice list, 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.980 the good kids list ourselves. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:42.620 but with you. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.279 We can. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.059 We are. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.480 Meet us now in a moment of just 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:58.420 showing us what we 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.259 still yet need to surrender to you. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.259 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.259 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:09.880 We've had the privilege of hearing from different people today 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:11.180 in different ways. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.960 We will not let you go without you participating 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.880 in some way yourself. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.839 And so this is the 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.920 final part that I'm 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.779 asking all of you to engage 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.599 a little bit with the person sitting next to you. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.880 And remember, I always say, introverts, don't worry. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.019 It'll only be five minutes. 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.900 It will be over soon. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.059 What's one thing you want to swap this Christmas? 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.859 Is it like Zechariah 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.419 and you want to swap doubt for faith? 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.220 Is it like Mary 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.679 and you want to swap fear for joy? 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.099 What is it? 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.220 Is it like the shepherds 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.000 and you want to just swap 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.019 boredom for action? 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:48.759 Can you share to the person next to you? 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.379 I mean, what else are we good for 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:52.319 other than being able to speak to the people around us? 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.700 We're going to have a few minutes. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.859 Just talk to the person next to you. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.299 Is there something that you feel, 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:58.779 okay, God's telling me that I need to swap this. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.000 Share it now. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:04.639 Thank you, everyone. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.859 Before we finish with one last song, 00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:11.659 actually, I'm going to hear from a few people. 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.399 Choo-Coo, what was yours? 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:17.299 There's still some fear in rooms of my heart 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.700 that I'd like to swap out for courage. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.779 Fear for courage. 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.419 Love it, love it. 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:23.619 Still doubt for faith. 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.779 Doubt for faith. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.240 Great. 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.079 What do we have here? 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.859 Imbalance for balance. 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.500 Oh, imbalance for balance. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.460 Profound, profound. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.460 Can we have... 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.140 Can we have one of you? 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.700 Who do we got? 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.519 That's an impatience for patience. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.259 Impatience for patience. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.019 That's good. 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:40.019 Let's have two more. 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.700 Anxiety for the future. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.100 Anxiety for the future. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.460 And you swap it for... 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.720 Peace and calmness. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.039 Peace and calmness. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.579 Great. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.840 Come on, Matthew. 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.779 Matthew's always hiding behind the camera, 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:54.379 but he takes wonderful pictures for us. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.539 So we're going to hear from you today. 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.879 I actually don't have any. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.059 I never thought of it. 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.420 Anyone want to find one? 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.899 Jay, one here. 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.279 Thank you. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.359 Fear with joy. 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.319 Fear with joy. 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:09.839 Let this Christmas be one where we are confronted 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:11.460 by the good news of Jesus 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:14.360 and may lead to conviction and change. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.480 And I'm going to pass the time 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:17.279 to the team to have one final song. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.240 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.240 We have one final song.