These words of God given through King Solomon over 900 years before Christ came into the world are still as wisdom-filled today as when they were first inspired. If they could only be practiced in our homes, schools, workplaces, where-ever disputes are being negotiated, in our parliaments, and yes, even in our churches, we can easily see how much more peaceful our lives could be. Most parents have experienced how often a few well- chosen, quiet words do more in the chastisement of a wayward child than by many harsh words spoken. Our Heavenly Father, when speaking to mankind through His Spirit over the years, has also always spoken in love, for God is love, and we have all experienced how we respond to His corrections spoken or pointed out to us with gentleness much more than if we are forcibly told. When this happens, our immediate response is to “get our back up”. We should therefore learn by these things that happen to us and try then not to do the same things to others.

The Bible contains many examples of how our text word was proven right. We can read in Genesis 50 the story of how Joseph’s brothers had really mistreated him because of envy, and even sold him as a slave, put much sadness into ‘the hearts of his parents by telling them that he had died, and caused him so much distress that when the time came for them to have to go to him to seek food he was certainly in a position, and some would say today within his rights, to exercise his right to tell them what he thought of them – even reject them – but through the wisdom of God it is recorded he spoke in verse 21, “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them and spake kindly unto them.” We can read of the many blessings that came to that family by those kindly words which turned away all the wrath. These blessings will also come to every family who will also follow that example.

Christ while on earth as recorded in John chapter 8 also used this wisdom to disperse a whole crowd of angry people when they brought the woman who had been taken in adultery to Him. This crowd had been stirred up by the scribes and Pharisees in an attempt, to tempt Christ into rejecting the law, which stated she should be stoned, so they could then accuse Him. We read how Christ simply stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, and when the time was right spoke softly the words, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”. This soft answer was enough to disperse the whole angry crowd, as they all out of conscience drifted away one by one. These examples of God’s wisdom are given to us so that we may all learn from them.

In the busy world we live in today, so often our text is forgotten, and we forget God’s blessings granted us. I read a report recently written by a Hospital Chaplain in England, which sums up our text. The report is as follows:

I used to be chaplain on the orthopaedic ward of our local hospital. All kinds of casualties ended up there. There were cases of window cleaners falling off ladders, lads tearing ligaments on football fields, farmers who’d been kicked by cows and revellers tripping over kerb stones after late-night parties. The ward was a cheerful place, full of jokes and laughter, because most of the men were not really ill. They were temporarily out of action and very bored. The nurses had a rough time of it, poor things, and were teased mercilessly by the men in plaster casts with nothing but six weeks of bed rest to look forward to.

One Monday morning, when I entered the ward, my eye was caught by the patient in the corner bed. He looked in a bad way. His legs were in traction, bandages covered his bare midriff, and his face was badly bruised. He must have been in a road accident, I thought. The patient was awake, so I started my ward chaplain routine. “You’ve been in the wars. How did it happen?” “I fell out of an aeroplane!” he said, with a faint grin. I admired his courage and decided to play along with the joke. “Heathrow or Gatwick?” I said. “None of the men in the ward believed me at first,” He sighed. “Even Casualty thought I was having them on. But I did, honestly. “Go on,” I said. “Tell me about it.” It was an incredible story, a miracle in fact. He’d been piloting a small aeroplane which was towing a glider. The glider tow rope had been released and he was bringing the plane around in readiness for landing. Just as he was on the point of touchdown a sudden, violent gust caused one of the wings to hit the grass landing strip. The entire plane rocketed forwards over the cliff edge and rolled upside down.

Quick as a flash, he released his seat belt, and seconds later he landed in a tree at the foot of the rocks, hitting his head, breaking a leg and wrist, and knocking himself unconscious. The next memory he had was of waking up in a hospital bed. “I must be the luckiest man in the world,” he said quietly, after finishing his story. Then he looked up. “There’s something you could do for me,” he said. “Would you say a thank you prayer for me?” So I pulled the curtains round the bed for privacy and said the Lord’s Prayer with him.

We often talk about “being lucky”. “I had a lucky escape,” we say, when somebody overtakes on a blind corner and we manage to avoid a collision by swerving at the last minute. Or “The little boy next door was lucky not to be run over.” And I’ve often heard people say, “Luckily I had a first-rate surgeon. He did a marvellous job on me.” Is it luck when things turn out well, or is it something more? Could it be that somebody is looking after us? I have a strong feeling that what we call luck is not luck at all, but God’s guiding hand watching over us. That’s why we should say a short prayer of thanks to God after a safe journey, or a successful operation, or a narrow escape and even more so when we fall out of an aeroplane and live to tell the tale!

It is hoped that this story will inspire us to remember that we should begin and finish every day in thanksgiving to the Lord, and especially remembering those added blessings granted to us.

At this time of the year, many begin to consider obtaining gifts to pass to their loved ones and those less fortunate. It is a time when we consider the gifts given or offered to mankind by our Heavenly Father.

Since man was separated from God at the downfall, no flesh can stand in the presence of God and live. Exodus 33: 20 – 21, “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock.” That rock of course is our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring about the rebirth to allow us to see God and live. How the Father has yearned for this over the years.

To make that day possible, the Father had to give us that greatest gift to become our rock. Luke 2:10-11, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Now Jesus was also given gifts at His birth, inspired by God, as shown in the text, for Him to pass on to believers when He ascended, that will allow us to prepare to be as Him for that great day when God’s last enemy, the corruption inherited by all, can be changed by our rock, 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised in corruptible, we shall be changed.” We review these gifts, all based on the Grace of Christ, and should commit ourselves to use them in our lives, so as not to offend the gift giver our Heavenly Father. Matthew 2:11,“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” The gold represents a kingdom, and the entry is provided by baptism with water to redeem us from the inherited sin. This was passed to us by Christ to His Apostles recorded in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Frankincense (Holy Spirit). John 20:22-23, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” The Holy Spirit promised as the power, to forgive our ongoing confessed sins.

The fullness of this gift was sent to the Apostles at Pentecost Myrrh, used to embalm bodies so they can be preserved. This represents Holy Communion for the remission of sins thus preserving our bodies to be able to be resurrected on the return of Christ.  To be as Him and being able to see the Father, face to face and live. This was passed to His Apostles recorded in Matthew 26:27-28, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

We must use these gifts to prepare for the coming Kingdom.  As we consider gift giving or receiving during this time, let us never forget the greatest gifts from heaven. Truly we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham almost 4000 years ago.  Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

It is often asked if God is love, merciful, and almighty why He is allowing pain and suffering. The truth is good people and bad people will encounter pain and suffering. Matthew 5:45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Many of us have already experienced pain and suffering in our life.

Many prophets suffered and were persecuted, such as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Job.
How to deal with pain and suffering? The answer is “Patience and endurance”. Romans 5:3-5 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

We should learn from the life of Job. When we read the book of Job we divide it into three parts.

1. Job 1-2. Job has no idea about his suffering. But this world is the reality of the physical and spiritual world.
2. Job 3-37. Human reasons. Why are people suffering? They are arguing why Job is suffering.
3. Job 38-39. Divine response. How do we solve the problem of the mystery of suffering? God knows the best? God is sovereign to solve our suffering. Job 33:12 “Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.”
God never explains to Job why he is suffering. God answered Job’s question not by explaining about the devil, the world, and about all those. He simply answered Job’s questions by His presence and by showing Job who He is. And Job discovered and said, Lord you are the all mighty, Lord of Lord, and you know the best. The greatest blessing of Job was the intimacy with God. Job 42:5 “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee.” Job obeyed even in the midst of suffering, and he endured and trusts God. He worships God even in pain and Job prays for his other friends. That is true repentance. He surrenders his life to do what God wanted him to do. And God restored, Job’s fortune doubles. Job is indeed a righteous man. Job no doubt took comfort in the Lord’s promise of a peaceful kingdom coming to all who wait on the Lord. Job 19: 25-27  “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”
We have to learn how to cling on to God in the midst of pain and suffering because He is faithful. We have to cling on to His goodness because He is omnipotent and omniscient. God knows everything and God knows the best for us. We may not understand our suffering as Job. But we have to trust and cling on to God because He knows the best for us, He loves us, we have to entrust our whole being to God as Job. James 5:11, You have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord’s dealings that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.”

We regularly appeal to the Lord to Hear and provide for our supplications, prayers and petitions, which is right and a privilege granted us.

As the children of God, we are taught to bring everything to God in prayer, to ask for the supply of our needs, to ask for protection and to bring thanks. Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

David often prayed the Lord to hear his plea (Psalm 5:1-5) “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity”, and so can we.

Unfortunately, we often neglect to listen to the Voice of the Lord!

It is imperative that we consistently hear His voice and dwell according to the requirements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The voice (and therefore the Word) of the Lord comes in various forms from the Spirit, including through the mouth of the Apostles and ordained servants, the written Word and Scripture (The Bible and Apostle circulars), choir songs, Sunday school, in the breaking of bread, in the community with our fellow brothers and sisters and even in a dream (Joseph).

Mark 4:9 “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”.

We have to be receptive to the voice of the Lord always, be guided by the Holy Spirit to hear what the Lord speaks. Apostle Paul teaches the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:13) “Which things also we speak, not in the Words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”    

Ask the questions of ourselves:                                               

• Do we allow the working of the Lord’s Voice (also the Word of God) in our lives?
• Do we understand the might of His Voice?
• Are we serious about the Voice of the Lord?
• Do we share the Word with those that still have to be drawn to the work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
• Do we often forget the Word of God or ignore His Voice?

Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Proverbs 7: 24-27 “Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded; yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.”

We are “never too young” to Hear the Voice of the Lord and to Serve Him! A wonderful example of the instruction to hear the voice of the Lord is given to us in the history of Samuel, where the Lord called him three times – Samuel thought it was Eli that called him, but Eli knew it was the Lord and therefore instructed Samuel to say: “Speak, Lord thy servant heareth.”

Parents and children, a very important lesson we learn from the book of Samuel is that we are never too young or too old to hear the Voice of the Lord and to serve in the household of God. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, promised God that if He gave her a son that she would dedicate him to God (1 Samuel 1:11) At the age of 3 years Hannah took Samuel to the temple and entrusted him to God. According to historians, Samuel was 12 years old when he heard the Voice of the Lord. The name Samuel means “God has heard”.

Proverbs 8:32-35 “Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord”.

We should be able to see, hear and experience the Lord in all things, visible and invisible, and in all of God’s wonderful creation Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:9 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

Let us always hear the Voice of the Lord, like the song we sing: I can hear my Saviour calling, follow, follow me…

Apostle Paul’s words are an expression of triumph of those Christians who through Christ have become reconciled with God. Apostle Paul continues by praising God who has brought about this reconciliation, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. Those who are in Christ strive to emulate Jesus’ character and nature in their everyday life. This includes sincere prayers born out of childlike faith and the endeavour to overcome that which is not good. The ambassadors for Christ repeatedly tell us to be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” He is a new creation. Through the life received from God became a new creation. This life develops through grace and by partaking of Jesus body and blood. We have put off the old man which grows corrupt. Ephesians 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.”

Everything that is contrary to Jesus’ teachings and being God’s child must become part of the past. This also applies to our vocabulary and reactions in our everyday life, insincerity and negativity. In this manner we make room for that which is new to unfold within us. At the end of time the Almighty God will cause everything old to disappear. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain. Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Even heaven and earth will pass away to enable that which is perfect and glorious to emerge. Revelation 21:1-3 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Behold all things have become new. When we plant a seed a new flower on the plant emerges. Likewise, the fruit of the Holy Spirit must noticeably develop within every child of God who endeavours to be found in Christ. We want to concentrate our efforts on that which is new. We want to ensure that small and insignificant things continue to be small and insignificant and great and important things continue to be great and important. Let us forget the old tune and learn the new song. Let us discard our former names and secure those of the new creation. We will then be able to enter into the new city of God as joyful and appreciative inhabitants.

Luke 2:10-14.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Can one, in one Christmas letter, write anything new what Christmas means to us?  Hasn’t everything been told? There is no other Christian Festival beloved as Christmas; it is filled with great Custom and Tradition united. Its origin we take out of the writings of History.

In the first 300 years the first Christians did not celebrate every year the Festival. It was in Rome in the first 400 years that man began to celebrate the birthday of Christ on the 25th of December.  At first it was called the Nativity. Christmas, the white night, from the German meaning, the 12 nights after the Winter Sun, celebrate the birth of Christ as Christians, and we speak of the Holy Night.  When we write of the Christmas Festival, we must remember that for us the Christmas Festival for us begins with what is written in the Bible in Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:26-38  and Luke 1:57-66; herein is what is written in the Bible concerning Jesus and His birth. I am sure that we all know the story told. Also, what we have learned as a child – Christmas tree, Charity, Christmas goose, Service and Christmas Carols; while in some homes there may be sadness, Christmas uplifts all.

Let us hear what the message says!  The first time the message was heard, we find God was given the praise and Glory. We find that today there should be no difference for those who hear the message of the Birth of our Lord and understand it; those who hear it aright should be thankful  in their hearts and get strength that Christ was born and brought Peace on earth, especially for man today; Peace between man and God. This applies for all generations.

The world has made great mistakes, and today we can look at the birth of our Lord and realize that today is the day that we can profit from our mistakes.

Christmas time makes us realize that there is only one God, and He loves all people; the Christ child is for us the Guarantee; and the Holy Ghost is the greatest Security that we can have; the door to the House of God stands open wide today. We all have the opportunity to come to God.