Christmas 2024

Dear friends,

When Matthew introduces the birth of Jesus it is the name announced by the prophet Isaiah which he shares with us — Immanuel. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

With much in the world today that is difficult and challenging, it can be tempting to feel overwhelmed and silently wonder whether God really is present after all, or to romanticize the times surrounding Jesus’ birth, painting them as wonderful times, and beyond our ability to relate. More likely, however, the times into which Jesus was born were a similar mixture of terrific and tragic experiences for the parents to be, and for much of the world!

The circumstances for most of us fall into one of these two categories. Perhaps the approach of Christmas this year feels like the best ever for you. Or maybe you are facing hard decisions, or carrying the weight of some loss, or burdened by unanswerable questions that are robbing you of sleep at night. It might be that you feel secure and happy, in terms of finances, and your relationships with family and friends. Or is this year testing your endurance and resilience? Maybe it is a mixture of many of these experiences.

Whatever our circumstance, the news that “God is with us” is the one promise that introduces us to more hope and joy than we might otherwise believe possible! Brother Lawrence, writing some three hundred years ago, offers the following insight in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God — “Although we seek and love God because of the blessings He has given us…let us not stop there. These blessings, as great as they are, will never carry us as near to Him as a simple act of faith does in a time of need or trouble.”

Immanuel means that no matter what has happened, is happening or will happen in our lives, God has, is, and forever will be with us, giving us his power to face all difficulties, his peace in which to rest in times of exhaustion, and his purpose to motivate us forward every day.

That is why Mary sang her song, and the shepherds left their fields, and the magi followed the path of the star until they found Jesus, and were able to worship not only a child in a manger, but the Incarnate God, and Lord of Life - as big and complex, and as dangerous and deliriously wonderful, as it is!

If you’re seeking and praying for a Christmas miracle I invite you to join me and others in the Candlelit sanctuary of Markham Baptist Church this Christmas Eve at 7pm. I really don’t believe in magic, but I do believe in the miracle of God among us, opening a way to faith, hope, love and peace. What a great evening to bring a friend with you to sing with us the carols of Christmas and listen for God to speak to us amid the circumstances of our lives.

May this Christmas offer you the great and lasting news of “Immanuel”, and lead you to the wonder of God’s love for you.

Enthusiastically,

Pastor Craig