The Three Cs of Christmas

Three Cs of Christmas

(based on CPAS Church Leadership resource No.31 by Chris Murray)

My wife is the sort of woman who hates leaving things to the last minute, ...she likes to do all her Christmas shopping weeks in advance. But two years ago there was one thing that she left 'till Christmas Eve, and that was buying the turkey.

Now she felt very anxious about that, imagining that there probably wasn't a single turkey left in the whole of Coventry, ...so at about half seven in the morning, I drove into town to buy a turkey.

The roads that time of the morning were very, very quiet. I drove into the West Orchard Car Park, ...and it was deserted. ...As I went down the escalators, there was not a soul to be seen, ...and then I walked into Marks and Spencer's, ...and the shop was absolutely packed. People everywhere rushing around, filling their trolleys with food.

...And I stood there in total amazement. I knew why all these people had come, but I asked myself, "How did they all get here?"

It's lovely to see so many people here in church this evening, (or is it morning?), ...and I hope you all feel very welcome. Once again, the crowds fill me with amazement, but for a different reason. This time I know how many of you have got here, (because the car park is full), but I ask myself, "Why do so many people want to come?".

"Why have you come to church this evening?"

I don't mean to be rude, ...it's just that people come to church for a variety of reasons, ...and the reason why you are here may be very different from the person sitting next to you.

There have been times when I've come to church because I had to. (After all, when you're the preacher, people notice if you don't turn up).

There have been times when I've come to church because I felt I ought to.

Then there have been times when I've come to church because I really wanted to. Perhaps I've been looking forward to meeting some good friends, ...perhaps I've come with the anticipation of being in God's presence, ....perhaps I've come with the expectation of being uplifted by the music, ...or learning something new.

...Why have you come to church this evening?

The Christmas story reminds me that there's one reason which is probably the most important of all, ...and that's to meet with Jesus. It was for that reason that the shepherds went to Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning. It was for that reason that the wise men travelled hundreds of miles, following a star.

...and you too can meet with Jesus this Christmas time.

Have you ever met anyone important?

I almost met the Queen once, ...well I got within six feet of her. It was when she visited the college at which I was a student. She came out of the dining hall, walking on red carpet, under a pink and white striped canopy ...she stopped on the steps, looked round, and said "Ooo, what a lot of cameras!"

I can still remember it as clearly as it happened yesterday. ...but when you meet someone important it's an experience you never forget.

Well, in the same way, meeting with Jesus is an experience that you never forget, ...and it's partly because he brings with him some things that he wants to give us. ...(Let's call them the 3 'C's of Christmas.)

The first 'C' is COMFORT.

Have you noticed how some people are good at giving comfort, ...and others aren't? ...I like the story of an airline captain who made an announcement during a flight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, ...I regret to inform you that we've just shut off one of our engines due to mechanical problems, ...but there's nothing to worry about because we still have three engines left. ...I'm sure that you will also be reassured to know that we have four vicars on board".

Well at this, one of the passengers turned to the stewardess and said, "Can you thank the captain for his words of comfort, ...but tell him we would much rather have four engines and three vicars."

Many people who came looking for Jesus during his life on earth did so because they needed comforting.

"There was a woman who had suffered from haemorrhages for half of her lifetime; she'd spent a fortune on doctors, and came to Jesus for comfort from her sickness. She simply touched his garment believing that his compassionate power would heal her. ...And Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." (Mk. 5.34).

On another occasion Jesus said to all those who were listening:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mt. 11.28-29)

Perhaps you have come to church this Christmas in need of comfort. Perhaps you are suffering from the stress and strains of work, or family, or from the uncertainties of the future.

Well Jesus still brings COMFORT today. Many of you have probably read the article in Archway by Syd Braxton, of his experience of meeting with Jesus while in hospital. And other people here tonight could also tell you of their experience of knowing Jesus.

The second 'C' of Christmas is CHALLENGE. People came to Jesus for a variety of reasons, but many ended up being challenged by him.

There was a young man who had made money his 'god', ...nevertheless, he still felt a deep need in his life. "What must I do to inherit eternal life", he asked Jesus. Because Jesus knew that his problem was the young man's attitude to money, he told him, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Lk 18). Sadly he could not accept the challenge.

[There was a teacher of the Law who also asked Jesus "What must I do to inherit eternal life." He knew the theory, "Love God with all your heart", and "Love your neighbour as yourself" ...But Jesus told him the story of the good Samaritan, ...The challenge then, and now, was to open our eyes and ears to the needs of those around us, and further afield, who need our help.]

The heart of Jesus' challenges often lay in our priorities. And if we meet with Jesus, perhaps he will challenge our priorities too.

A vicar once devised a light-hearted test to reveal whether or not his parishioners were watching too much television. It went something like this...

You know you're watching too much TV when:

a) You can name all the characters on Coronation Street, or Eastenders, but can't remember the names of the 12 Disciples.

b) You would recognise a TV reporter on the streets of the city, but you might not recognise one of your neighbours.

c) You pay more for your TV licence than you give to charity each year.

d) You can anticipate in advance the outcome of an episode of Neighbours, but can't remember how the New Testament ends.

Well you may, or may not feel that you watch too much TV, ...but I meet many people whose lives are filled with their family, their work, and with their hobbies. ...and there's nothing wrong with such things, in fact they are often God's gift to us, ...but Jesus sometimes wants to challenge us about our priorities, (...and he challenges me as much as anyone else).

- What place does God have in our affections?

- Do money and possessions come higher than the one who made us and gives us all that we have?

- Are we aware of, and concerned with the needs of others?

When we meet with Jesus we may find comfort, we may find a challenge, ...and the third 'C' of Christmas is CONTROVERSY.

From the day he was born, Jesus caused controversy. When King Herod discovered that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem he ordered the massacre of all the baby boys in that region.

Jesus caused controversy by mixing with and caring for people who were outcasts from his society.

...He caused controversy among the religious leaders by healing people, and claiming to be the Christ, God's chosen saviour.

And Jesus continues to cause controversy today. ...Sometimes people face opposition, either at home or at work, when they try to put right the priorities in their life.

I remember when I worked as an engineer, at times I found myself in situations where I was expected to do things that were a bit dishonest, ...and I found it difficult to tell colleagues that I wasn't prepared to go along with that way of working.

And once again, there are people in this church who have experienced much greater opposition in their Christian life.

So what has brought you to church this Christmas time?

Whatever the reason, I pray that you will meet with Jesus during this service, ...that you will find his comfort in those areas of your life where you need him, ...that you will find his challenge about your priorities, ...and that you will leave this place prepared to be controversial for him, should the need arise.

And make a decision to continue meeting with Jesus in the months ahead. If at present you don't come to church very often, why not begin by coming just once a month? Our Family Service on the first Sunday of the month is often just as full as this, ...so come and join us on 5th January and enjoin a great start to the New Year.