Christmas Carol Service - Immanuel
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Isaiah 7 v 14 ‘The Lord will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (meaning God with us).’
Carols are so familiar, soothing words, part of our heritage our Christian culture but they can act like a lullaby (Rutter) & cause us to drift into a spiritual slumber, not touched or challenged just soothed. This Christmas let’s try and engage with it afresh, as if for the 1st time….being enlivened rather than the same old same old Christmas story.
I am going to suggest we look through the lens of the 1st reading written 700 years before the birth of Christ.
Isaiah 7 v 14 ‘The Lord will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (meaning God with us).’
Words to memorise today, one of the words is in Hebrew & Greek Immanuel meaning 1.God 2.With Us.
This is the message of Christmas in 1 word ! Immanual
John Wesley’s dying words were this… God With us
1st word: God. Why did the 1st followers worship Jesus. Why would they? Ans: They were convinced he was God. Look at his life, his claims (the I am sayings…) his healings, his miracles, his perfect life. The 1st followers of Jesus were convinced that he was/is God.
[Illustr] If you are a big Elvis fan you may worship him (fan club, LPs, DvDs posters) but his band & staff & people closest to him best didn’t worship him why because Elvis didn’t live up to that great reputation. Despite all the millions who have visited Gracelands, Elvis is dead and is not God…. in contrast
Millions have visited Bethlehem and Jerusalem because Christianity is not about a celebrity but about a Saviour Christ born in Bethlehem died in Jerusalem and rose from the tomb (been there) – He is who the 700 year old prophecy said he is – Immanuel God with us. If Christmas is right all the rest makes sense…his perfect life, the cross, the resurrection, the doorway to eternal life.
2nd two Words With us. The Divine made human so that he can be with us. Soft, touchable, vulnerable, a baby in a manger – that’s the Christmas story. How crazy is that! Only Christianity has said God has become human, a baby dependant of his mother Mary for his early years.
With us means one of us he was tested, tried and suffered as we do. He has been where you are. How does that make you feel, do you think he is someone you can talk to, pray to, who knows what you are going through is tough? Do you feel broke, - He was, do you feel deserted, He was, have you experienced injustice - He has, Have you faced death and dying – He has. Prayer means, you can go to him about anything – he understands, he has been there, he is WITH us. [Illustr]Prince William has become one of the Royals who seems most approachable – spoke about his depression and struggles after his mum died, now crowds turn out for his Royal engagements. He has been on the front line in his helicopter piloting, he knows what a battle is like. The public think he has been where we have been, he knows. How much more Jesus, broken, beaten, born in a manger….. WITH us.
Withness means if you invite him into your life he will be within you, with you. Instead of religion you get withness! God with us. Withness means you don’t get a religion you get a person - Jesus. If you think about a close relationship you are in, how it came about how it developed. Spending time, talking, sharing, caring. Christ with us is a bit like that. Will you let Him?
Chloe and Ellie are going to sing O Holy night which is a rediscovered carol
Arch Bishop Sentanu in Hospital on Radio 4 in 2017 said ‘Take a fresh look at Christmas.
“When Christ appeared the soul felt its worth… The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. Fall on your knees…O night when Christ was born”
“Fall on your knees…O night when Christ was born”
Footnote: Sermon preached at St Mary’s Hospital Carol Service I.o.Wight 2017
