A Place for Us……..
Two envelopes come to mind when I think of Christmas approaching. One is from a film called ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, (1952). I love the opening scene where a middle-aged widow, who is resident in a hotel, is asked by the hotel manager if she will be staying there over Christmas.
The widow opens an envelope in her hand, smiles, and says ‘Not this year!’ She has received her invitation to a family Christmas.
The other envelope comes from my early school days. I remember learning how to write my home address including my street, town and country.
This was an early introduction to the fact we live in a much bigger space called the Universe, with its myriad stars and planets telling of a wondrous and awe-inspiring larger reality to life.
John’s Gospel begins with momentous news about that mysterious space beyond our earth; that God made all of it in its incomprehensibly vast array.
John 1:14 continues that from his heavenly dwelling, God the Son came to live on earth among us in the person of Jesus Christ. These are words we may hear at carol services every year: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, John 1:14a, NIV.
John’s Gospel says that Jesus’ journey was met with two responses. There were those who did not receive him and his message. Then there were those that welcomed Jesus, who received an incomparable new life from Him, but more on that in a moment…
This article is written for those who would like to welcome more of Jesus’ presence in their lives this Christmas….
Before we receive the Lord’s Supper (Communion), the Anglican liturgy reminds us that we approach the ‘God of the seen and the unseen’. To receive the Lord more in our lives at this time let’s reflect on seen and the unseen.
First, let us receive the Lord Jesus, as the Lord of the unseen this Christmastime….
In our prayers for friends, family and our wider contacts let us pause and ask the Lord to show us the unseen. For this we need to be willing to have a revelation of heart and then of mind, for our hearts perceive more clearly when they love as God loves.
Conversely, true insights are hampered by resentments, so we may need the Lord’s mercy and ministry if there are any bitter roots that need uprooting from us, (Hebrews 12v15).
In such a time of prayer, the Lord may bring us a ‘word’ concerning that person. The word may be ‘peace’. Giving peace to another by our presence could include gently listening to their distress and showing that we feel deeply for them. We experience the wisdom of the Bible’s teaching ‘mourn with those who mourn’ (Romans 12:15). Allowing ourselves to feel another’s sorrow is not easy, but it does help bring healing. One thing Job’s comforters got right was to sit in silence with him, allowing their hearts to be moved by his sorrow. There is a time for cheering others up, however it is not always the first step in helping the grieving.
The ‘word’ or message we sense when we pray for others may be a scripture appropriate to our approach to them like ‘let your gentleness be evident to all’, Philippians 4v5, NIV). These words speak to our manner (heart attitude) towards the person concerned. If we can align our heart attitude to what God requires of us – the words which overflow from our hearts will be as a fountain that refreshes those under its cool flow.
Second, let us receive the Lord Jesus as the Lord of the seen this Christmastime.
Here we ask the Lord about what is seen in our lives; ‘Lord how can I make your love visible for this relative, friend or person in need?’ The insights we have gained earlier into the unseen may guide our first steps. Is the person grieving, give them gentle time and space; is the person lonely – invite them to a get together, is the person destitute – give them some money.
One of my favourite teachings of Jesus is ‘when you have a party invite those who cannot repay you’, (paraphrase of Luke 14v 13-14). It’s great Jesus expects his followers to be party givers where possible! Beautifully, Jesus adds ‘invite those who cannot repay you’. Perhaps those who are unable to show their appreciation well or those without loving families.
So let’s invite the widow who cannot host us back, talk with the people who are overlooked at work at the office get together. Receiving the Lord Jesus more this Christmas means making his love visible, for as we receive the ‘least of these’ we receive Him, (Matthew 25v40).
In giving to charity we can also make the Lord’s love visible, perhaps find a local charity this year and learn more about their work, so that ‘where your treasure is your heart will be also’ (Matthew 6v21).
May the Lord help us to receive Him more this Christmas, in our families and communities in the visible demonstrations of our love. For ‘where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in*.
Let’s be encouraged because there is a wonderous gift to those who receive Him. We will be welcome at His heavenly banquet, (Rev 19v9),where if there were envelope addresses would it read…..
Our New Name,
In the Heavenly Father’s house,
In His eternal kingdom,
Where there is a place for us.
Bibliography
Scripture quotation taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Used by permission of Hodder and Stoughton, a division of Hodder Headline Ltd. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Internation Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790
*Lyrics quoted from Christmas Carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ by Phillips Brooks.
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