Advent Day

It's Christmas! It's Advent!

God has His Son sent,

Jesus Christ, Messiah,

Rejoice! Hallelujah!

On this Christmas day, excitement and joyous anticipation dress the hearts and lives of many, as family and friends share Christmas joys, in several ways. On the other hand, there are many today, for whom Christmas only heightens their pain, hurt, suffering, loss and loneliness. Still, there are others who simply have no part of these celebrations, because they do not believe the Good News, which still brings joy to all people. They do not believe the message of the angel: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2: 11.

This message of Good News came to a group of field dwellers as they did their work. Indeed, the message that sailed right into them, came on the day of the Birth of Messiah. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2: 8 - 11.

On this Christmas day, this day of Advent, my prayer for you is that the Good News which came to the shepherds, heart-rejoicing news which sailed into them, just where they were, of the Birth of Love, sail into your hearts, in some marvellous and miraculous way.

I use the image of a ship sailing in, as portrayed in the old 17th Century Christmas Carol, I Saw Three Ships. The first stanza says,

I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day,

I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day in the morning.

Another stanza asks the question.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three, on Christmas day, on Christmas day?

Pray whither sailed those ships all three, on Christmas day in the morning?

The simple question being asked is this, To where are these ships going?

Will you, on this Christmas day, receive the Good News that Three Ships have sailed into your hearts? By faith and in faith, you must leave all, as those shepherds left their sheep, to make room for receiving the Good News of these three ships. You are receiving exactly what the shepherds received.

The first ship to sail in to you, is the Ship of Light. The glory of the Lord shone around them. Our Lord is Light and the Light of His Glory swaddles you, that you may be His pleasing child. Believe, and may your response be seen in your receiving.

The second ship to sail in to you, is the Ship of Love. Do not be afraid. Our Lord is Love and since there is no fear in love, as perfect love drives out all fear, you are swaddled in His fear-removing Love. Believe, and may your response be shown in your accepting.

The third ship to sail in to you, is the Ship of Life. A Savior has been born to you. Our Lord is Life, for Immanuel has come to save you and give to you, life in all its fullness. Believe, and may your response be evidenced in your living.