Christmas: A very different kind of love
Pastor Darrell Baker, Faith Baptist Church
Christmas Eve services at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The true meaning of Christmas can be summarized in a single word, Love. Not the schmaltzy kind of love that is often portrayed in made for TV movies during this season. The ones where the couple meets, they have a disagreement and then through some circumstance they discover they really do care for each other. Christmas love is the kind that knows sacrifice and takes risks and ultimately can be rejected. It is the kind of love that makes the one offering it vulnerable and at the same time strong for being willing to take the gamble. That is what God did at Christmas and that is often what is missing in our celebrations.
Possibly the most “famous” verse in the Bible is also the best one to describe and explain what Christmas is all about. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That is the Christmas message that each one of us needs to embrace. God loves us so much that He was willing to send His one and only Son so that we could have an eternal relationship with Him. The gift of salvation is the greatest gift ever given and the one that needs to be accepted by each one of us.
If I could say one thing to each individual in Muskoka during this Christmas season it would be for each of us to realize that we can have a Merry Christmas because of Jesus.
Experience God’s love and grace in the midst of real life
Pastor Charlie Lyons, Riverside Baptist Church
Christmas Eve service at 6:00 p.m.
Peace on earth reflection
Pastor Jeremy McClung, Muskoka Community Church
Christmas Eve service, 6:30 p.m.
When the choir of angels announced the birth of a Saviour to a bunch of ragtag shepherds, they also brought a spectacular promise: peace on earth. Yet the following century turned out to be one of the most violent in the history of Jesus’ own people, the Jews. Two thousand years later, wars, terrorism, and violence continue to be the rule, and peace the exception. U2’s song “Peace on Earth” expresses the inevitable question: “I hear it every Christmastime, but hope and history won’t rhyme. So what’s it worth? This peace on earth?”
Did Jesus fail in his mission? Despite what we see in the world around us, I don’t think so. First of all, there is an aspect of this peace that hasn’t yet been established. Christian hope is based not on the idea that God will make everything perfect in this life, but on the belief that there will come a time beyond this life, when he puts an end to pain, suffering, and violence. Until that day we do our part to contribute to a peaceful society, without being surprised by the fact that wars and violence continue.
There is, however, another aspect of the promised “peace on earth” that is available now. In the midst of the storms of life, a peace that “transcends understanding” is available to those who look to God for their sense of security (Philippians 4:6–7). Even when the world seems to be falling apart we are invited to present all of our anxieties and concerns—to leave things in his competent hands, and let him take care of the details. To surrender our need to control, and trust him to lead us even in the darkest valley, brings a sense of inner tranquility that can sustain us through all situations. The message brought by the baby in the manger is that God loves us, that he understands, that he is with us—a message of peace and good will.
The meaning of Christmas for me
Reverend S. Derek Shelly, Trinity United Church
Christmas Eve family service at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10:00 p.m.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, whom we often refer to as Jesus Christ or Jesus, the Christ. There have been many terms used to describe the meaning of his birth such as “long-expected”, and “the Prince of Peace”. These and other terms come from the Jewish prophets to describe the coming Messiah (translated into Greek becomes Christ).
Over the years the role of the coming one carried many meanings. In earlier times many awaited a Messiah who would lead the people in the overthrow of the Roman oppressors. The birth of Jesus represented the arrival of the Messiah. However, as he grew, he did not assume the expected role. Jesus offered a different kind of leadership. His way was that of non-violence.
Most importantly, Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to reveal the true nature of God. He was given the name, Emmanuel, which means “God with us”. He lived a life in unity with God and called us into that same oneness.
God, for Jesus, was not a separate being, but an omnipresence of love. When we love others we live in the oneness that is God. Jesus said that sharing the important elements of life with each other is the key. We are called by the Christ-child’s birth to know the love of God and to share that love in the world.
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