Volume 28, No. 48                           
December 21, 2003

                   
Christ Is Born Again

  Christians are reborn.  But so is Christ, every time we respond to Him.  Let’s celebrate a powerful New Testament passage with all the Christmas elements.  Only this story is not just about Him.  It’s about you.

   Birth.  Wonderful expectation.  A demonstration of God’s mighty power.  It’s all there.  Then comes tidings of comfort and joy;  a test of faith and the proclamation of Good News.  Through it all, angels watch from above as lives change.  It’s the story of a gift greater than gold; of love made perfect, then made known. What child is this?

   In a burst of praise and worship that answers through the ages, the impetuous, irrepressible Peter rejoices over new life.  “All honour to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it’s by his boundless mercy that He’s given us the privilege of being born again!” (1 Peter 1:3).  We are Immanuel, “God with us”;  God in us.  Given new birth by the Holy Spirit, our name is Jesus: “Jehovah is salvation”. Jehovah is our salvation. In a world that has no room for us, we’re born into the privilege of God, by the privilege of God.  That may seem hard to believe when our royalty goes unrecognized by those too busy to see what God’s doing, but we must remind ourselves that what we’re here after is the hereafter.

   In fact, “Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It’s kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation because you’re trusting in Him... So be truly glad!” (v.4-6)

    Glad because, although we’re still on the journey to our ancestralhome, we’re already registered in the Emperor’s census.  One day, “the radiance of the Lord’s glory” will surround us, as it did the shepherds on that first night (Luke 2:9).  Even now, we’re pure and white, swaddled in clothing washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.  

   No wonder Peter proclaims tidings of comfort and joy.  “There is wonderful joy ahead,” he says, “even though it’s necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.  These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it’s strong and pure... and your faith is much more precious to God than mere gold.” (v.6,7)  Or frankincense, or myrrh.  This time it’s Jesus who offers those aromatic mementos of love and devotion.  “Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God.” writes the apostle Paul. “To those being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” (2 Cor. 2:13,16)

   We represent peace on earth — peace between God and his people because the separation of sin is bridged by the blood of his Son.  “And now this Good News has been announced...  It’s so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” (v.12)

   Watching because we’ll one day worship with them in the presence of the King.  Until then, you are the child of God who must grow up in the shadow and power of the Holy Spirit to model the faithful love of your Father.  Like Jesus, you must “be holy in everything you do” (v.15)  Like Jesus, you and I are “foreigners here on earth.” (v.17)  Like Jesus, “your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God.” (v.21)

   Just as the arrival of Jesus is the story of love, your new birth must herald the blood-bought beginning of peace and goodwill toward men. “Now you can have sincere love for each other,” writes Peter, “because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News.  See to it that you really do love each other  intensely with all your hearts.  For you’ve been born again.” (v.22)

   Yes, born again.  But you can’t stay in the manger.  “You must crave pure, spiritual milk so you can grow into the fullness of your salvation.  Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you’ve had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” (2:2,3)  Show the world every day that, in your heart, Christ is still born, not stillborn

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe, contact sgamble@bfree.on.ca

NEWS AND NOTES

When No Sign Is A Sign!
On Tuesday,  surgeons found no sign of the ovarian cancer Carla Jourdaine was diagnosed with!   Praise God!  Please keep her and Jack in your prayers.  Also remember Fran Stockdale as she recovers from a back fracture;  the Roswell family in the wake of their tragic car accident;  Chris and Cheryl Hill (family concerns);  Linda Miles (bereavement);  Keith Gale (stroke recovery);  Darlene Embury, Cindy Myers and Ed Embury (job challenges);   Judith Alexander (mission work);  and success for our Spiritual Gifts study.  

Christmas Cheer(s)!
Our Christmas party  was great and, yes, the guys won Win, Lose or Draw!   What a blessing to have one another and share the great benefits of love, belonging, and the pure enjoyment of spending time with each other!  

A Curtain Call!
“A Christmas to Remember” plays tonight (7:00) at the Sanderson Centre. This free presentation will feature both a musical and a Christian drama.  Watch for John Ayres, one of our Breakfast Buddies volunteers, who’s in the chorus!  Please take a food item to support the Food Bank.

Rest, for the Wick-ed!
Join us Wednesday  at 6 p.m.  as we celebrate Christmas Eve with a special Candlelight Service.   We’ll sing some seasonal songs, celebrate the birth of Jesus and share some light refreshments.  Rejoice that God has given us the gift of Light!

(Year) End Games!
If you haven’t yet made plans for New Year’s Eve, we’ll be holding a Games Night, starting at 8:30.  Bring a game and a snack and usher in 2004 with your church family.

Cher’ the Love!
Today is Bryce Gamble’s first birthday!  Others in line:  Cheryl Baker (Tuesday), Rob Petch (Thursday) and Bethany Steele (Friday).   Bryce is a strong, active gift from God!   We love Cheryl for her soft heart, boundless energy and great talent, especially with our kids!  Rob blesses us with his inquiring mind, helpfulness and easy-going nature.  Bethany is growing into a fine young woman!  Also, belated wishes to Davis Alexander whose birthday was Friday.  We’re glad the Lord has blessed us with his intelligence and sensitivity.  We pray this year will be a special one of great richness for all these people we love!