Ask yourself if Christ was to be born in 2020 would it be much different?
A Jewish lady named Mrs Rosenberg was stranded late one night at a fashionable resort – one that did not admit Jews. The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, “Sorry, no room. The hotel is full.”
The Jewish lady said, “But your sign says that you have vacancies.” The desk clerk stammered and then said curtly, “You know that we do not admit Jews. Now if you will try the other side of town…”
Mrs Rosenberg stiffened noticeably and said, “I’ll have you know I converted to your religion.” The desk clerk said, “Oh, yeah, let me give you a little test.
How was Jesus born?” Mrs Rosenberg replied, “He was born to a virgin named Mary in a little town called Bethlehem.” “Very good,” replied the hotel clerk.
“Tell me more.” Mrs Rosenberg replied, “He was born in a manger.” “That’s right,” said the hotel clerk. “And why was he born in a manger?” Mrs Rosenberg said loudly, “Because a person like you in the hotel wouldn’t give a Jewish lady a room for the night!”
The first-century world was a swirl of ideas, values, and symbols, not unlike our own. It may not be a census that is creating a fuss for us. It is lockdown. While everyone was trying to find somewhere to stay we are desperate to have someone to come and stay due to the restrictions.
This year more than ever since the second world war Christmas will be very different.
How can our faith become relevant in the day-to-day circumstances we face?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus shows us. He lived the message that He preached. And as we come to know Him and follow Him, we can experience the life that He gives.
Yes, the Christmas season is fast approaching once more and everywhere people will once again explore the Saviour’s birth. So let me take you on a journey to a far far away place where it all really began.
Take time to read John chapter 1:1- 12
Who has seen a programme called “Who Do You Think You Are”?
Well, John is about to tell us. As John unveils to us in his first verse:
In the beginning, the Word was with God.
John uses a term called “word: which really John is saying, Christ. For Jesus is called the “Word” (Logos, Gk.).
The idea of the Logos belonged to Greek philosophy in John’s day, but John uses the word in a larger sense that would also include Hebrew ideas also.
The word, “word” is important in the Old Testament. For instance, the name for Jehovah was never pronounced. It was such a holy word that they never used it at all. The first verse now takes on a new meaning. In the beginning, was Christ. Christ was with God and was truly God. telling us this Jehovah is Jesus.
John now tells us something significant in verse 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
So to answer our first question Who do you think you are? John says Jesus is the Son of God (the word) which came down from heaven to communicate with us. That being the case perhaps it is worth listening to what message Jesus has to bring.
The point of Christmas is that Christ was and is a real person with a message to tell us and we will look at that in the next few days.
Stay safe and Blessed