Our nation is broken
Our nation is hurting
Our nation is deeply divided
2016 has been a tumultuous year. It has surprised and shocked and has revealed woundedness, bitterness, generational division and identity insecurities that fear and dehumanise the other. God has neither been surprised or shocked and is fully committed to his rescue plan. As we enter into this Christmas season and hope for better news in 2017, what news will dominate our hearts and minds? Will it be rooted in the 24hour news outlets and apps or will it be from an ancient herald bringing news that feeds our souls and ignites our hopes?
but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. (Luke 2:10)
Our nation is open to the gospel
Our nation is hungry for spiritually
Our nation is waiting this advent
If this is true and large parts of society are bored with individualism, materialism, consumerism and atheism we must change our alertness level to what God is doing. Advent demands a posture change to one of readiness and awakeness. This advent the Christmas story will resonate with our nation more deeply than it has ever done in my lifetime.
So are we ready to share it, to live it, to explain it and to flesh it out?
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:13-14)
The angels would say to us ‘do not be afraid’ and Jesus would say to us ‘be my witness’ – tell of what it means for God to be one of us and to be with us. Embody Emmanuel and share this gift – it is the only deeply satisfying present we can give this Christmas.
Our nation has hope
Our nation has heard good news
Our nation will see Jesus
The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:20)
Fusion’s prayer for you , your friends and your family is that you will hear and see Jesus this Christmas time, that you would know his healing and forgiveness for 2016 and that 2017 would be full of hope and freedom as you choose to follow again – one moment, one day, one year at a time.
