Youth Group End Of Year Celebration December 9: 7:30-9:30pm Community Hall

Community Carols December 10: 8 to 9pm Shearing Shed Museum.

Farm Church Gathering Sunday December 11: 4.30pm 

Early Bird Christmas Service Sunday December 18: 4.30pm Community Hall

A man tearfully and resolutely hugs his wife and his kids in the early morning light. Bleary-eyed he checks he has the last few things he needs. He will be away for several months.  He has to go away for work- to make ends meet- and the mortgage repayments.

After three months away, the bus journey home is marked by counting street lights, pressing his face against the glass, the white lines rushing past. He is weary but so relieved to finally pull into town, and he lumps his bag and begins the couple of kilometers walk home. He fumbles for his keys- he’s not sure where he put them. It’s ok- his family will be there to open the door.

As he passes the letterbox he can see the glow of the TV, and make out the shadows of his wife and kids. He quickens his pace, and with a grin on his face, knocks at the window. His wide grin is met with a blank look from the kids, who call out, “There’s someone at the door”. He knocks at the door- they are probably wondering why he doesn’t just use his keys. When his wife answers. Her eyes show she doesn’t recognise him, there’s no warm smile. “Who are you? What do you want?” Eventually she sends him away.

This is like what happens to Jesus. They eye-witness John reports:  “He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognise Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” Jesus, God with us, comes to the earth that bears his own signature, and the people who bear his own fingerprints and image don’t recognise him. He is rejected by those who belong most closely to him.

There’s lots of possible reasons. For many of us today our hearts are a bit like Bethlehem was for Mary and Joseph- too busy! “There’s no room in the inn- come back later- or maybe try the shed!” 

Why would we settle for less than the hope and love and joy of Jesus? Perhaps its like Spurgeon says: "You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else”. The first miracle John records was Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding party.  Perhaps like a lot of people who have never taken time to get to know Jesus, you are worried he is here to turn your wine into water? Not to bring life but to bring judgment or condemnation? This is not true: “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world”.

The Jesus of the Bible comes to bring life- and light- and joy- and fullness. He is good, his news is good!” He wants to turn your water into wine, your darkness to light! John reports another response to Jesus: But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God. This Christmas  will you recognise Jesus or send him away