(Talk given at the Brecon Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve 2011)
Have you noticed the Christmas postage stamps this year? In some previous years the Royal Mail has seen fit to issue Christmas stamps with no Christian content at all. (One year they showed pantomime characters.) But this year, to celebrate the 400th. anniversary of the translation of the King James Bible, they have produced real Christmas stamps.
[ Show picture of stamps on screen ]
They are very colourful, aren’t they?
On each one he artist has taken great care to portray a scene which conveys the meaning of the text which is given . Each one has a references to a text from either Matthew or Luke.
Let’s think about these texts:
1) Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (KJV)
The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew “Yeshua” , which means “the Lord saves”. We are told “he shall save his people from their sins”. Yes, all the things we are ashamed of in our lives, all the things which cause strife and enmity with others and with God – Jesus came to do away with all this. The Christmas story tells us how he came into the world, but we have to look onward to his death on Good Friday to understand the reason for his birth. He died on the cross to redeem us, to save us from our sins.
2) Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV)
Isaiah had predicted the birth of a child who would be Immanuel (which means “God with us” in Hebrew).
So when Jesus was born, that was the fulfillment of the promise. God was coming into the world. He took human form. He was just a tiny baby. He lived a human life. Yes, God entered into the experience of our life.
Ever since that first Christmas we can know that God is with us. He shares our human experience – our trials and our sufferings.
3) Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (KJV)
Not only did he become human, he also experienced what it is to be homeless. to be poor, and indeed to be a refugee from the hatred of Herod.
There was no room for Jesus in the inn – is there room for him in our hearts?
4) Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (KJV)
It’s wonderful good news and it’s not just for the select few. It’s not just for the priests in Jerusalem. It’s not just for the rich noblemen and kings. It’s for the humble shepherds in the field ( regarded as the dregs of society in those days). It’s also for foreign Gentiles like the Wise Men. It’s Good News for all the people. It’s for you and for me.
5) Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. . (KJV)
“They rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. I like the King James Version here – its so much more powerful, more meaty, than just saying they were overjoyed! “Exceeding great joy” – what a wonderful expression!
That’s why we celebrate Christmas. Not just in order to eat, drink and be merry. Not just to receive and give presents. Not even just because it is a time for the children. No, we celebrate Christmas because it is a time for everyone to rejoice in what God has done for us all in Jesus.
I wish you all a very joyful Christmas.
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