A top-down view of Christmas (and some thoughts about the new year)

This is a personal greeting to all of you who connect with ‘Simply True’ as articles appear.

May our Lord and Father bless you during this Christmas season!  

God is full of surprises. So, I hope you may find it to be so. And, of course, many of his blessings are received through what he reveals to us in his word.

To help us see what Christmas looks like from above, I’ve included a poem below. Feel free to share it with others if you’d like to.

But first, here’s a comment on where we’ve been, and an anticipation of the next series.

Interest in the articles on creation has been broad and sustained. Obviously, I’ve been pleased to have your company! But it’s been especially pleasing to share with you our Creator’s delight in his works and his confidence about its future. These things are vital for our joy and our witness in the world.

In the new year, I’ll begin a series on the authority Jesus exercises as Lord. Peter says ‘God has exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour’.[i]

How much we need him to lead us, and to save us! It’s an authority that begins from the bottom, not the top. It makes something new, and doesn’t just recycle old stuff. Jesus leads us to repentance, and to forgiveness. And it’s what we need in a world that’s lost its way.

I hope you can join me again. You can register if you like (scroll down a bit on the home page). This means a copy of the article will land in your inbox whenever a post is available—usually every two or three weeks

And here’s the poem (based on Luke 2:8-14).

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[i] Acts 5:31

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It’s a busy, noisy night

For shepherds.

An angel disturbs their quiet and says

The world’s Saviour has just been born.

And then,

A mighty choir of them, excited to see such things,

Start singing about how good God is.

All this to waken them, and us,

To know God cares about our world—and acts.

These angels may not know

All that yet must be

Or how God will create

Joy in a world that’s sad,

But when they see this Child—

God’s Son in flesh,

They know this world’s Lord,

This Child’s Father,

Will make it happen.

‘Peace on earth!’

Angels see it coming in this birth.

And shepherds hear it first,

And see him first,

Just simple folks, to show

It’s not a thing we can deserve.

This joy will be for

All on whom

God makes his favour rest.

Grant Thorpe, Christmas 2014

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