You can't have CHRISTMAS without CHRIST!

I Luke 2:1-4, 6-19 Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census— the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted. The purpose of a census like the one Luke describes is to be sure that everyone is appropriately taxed and knows who is in charge. Mary’s fiancé Joseph, from Nazareth in Galilee, had to participate in the census in the same way everyone else did. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem, David’s birthplace. Mary, who was now late in her pregnancy that the messenger Gabriel had predicted, accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them. Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light—the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! 

Messenger: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Saviour has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. 

Heavenly Choir: To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God! 

As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation.

Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about! So they ran into town, and eventually they found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. Everyone who heard their story couldn’t stop thinking about its meaning. 

Mary, too, pondered all of these events, treasuring each memory in her heart. 

                   Merry Christmas

Why are we afraid of Silence?

1 Kings 19:11-12 

Eternal One: Leave this cave, and go stand on the mountainside in My presence.

The Eternal passed by him. 

The mighty wind separated the mountains and crumbled every stone before the Eternal. This was not a divine wind, for the Eternal was not within this wind. After the wind passed through, an earthquake shook the earth. This was not a divine quake, for the Eternal was not within this earthquake. After the earthquake was over, there was a fire. This was not a divine fire, for the Eternal was not within this fire.After the fire died out, there was nothing but the sound of a calm breeze. And through this breeze a gentle, still voice entered into Elijah’s ears. He covered his face with his cloak and went to the mouth of the cave. Suddenly, Elijah was surprised.

Eternal One: Why are you here, Elijah? What is it that you desire? 

    Today's world is non-stop and NOISY!  The only quiet we can find is often after we go to sleep?  However, even our sleep is sometimes bombarded by leftover noises from our life.  Blaring TVs selling youth serums and stronger bodies, endless pain and suffering from biased news casts or senseless movies filled with all too realistic story lines.  Endlessly playing in the background to cover up our Silence.

God is still speaking to us just as He was Elijah on Mount Horeb, not in the wind, nor the earthquakes or even the fires of life but in a still small voice.

A voice best heard in the Silence.

Why are we afraid of the silence?

Does it make us remember loves lost,  past regrets, or our many mistakes?  

Maybe it reminds of fears?  

        Fear of death?     Fear of life?    Fear of failure?

    For whatever reasons, we constantly numb our minds with noise.  Any and every distraction to cover up the quiet.  Stillness is a word to be feared and avoided.  Every waking moment must be filled or we aren't being productive members of society.  

    A wise man once said,"silence is golden", but every golden moment is filled with echoes of distraction.

Why?

Because.......

Silence makes us Stop.

   Silence makes us Listen.

        Silence makes us Reflect.

Silence can bring us Peace.  If we would only listen for HIS still small voice.

Let's try it out!     Listen!    NO.   Stop and really Listen.

     Can you hear God's voice whispering?    

              "I love you."     "I have great plans for your life."    "I'm here waiting patiently for one moment of silence, so you can hear me."

If you don't know him it's as easy as ABC.

Admit ....... That you've sinned and need forgiveness

Believe ..... That Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins to be forgiven.

Confess ...  Tell someone that you've asked Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour

                                                            Just Listen