It is a great joy to greet one another at this special time of year, this season where we remember the birth of our King and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. More than 2,000 years have passed since the shepherds—watching over their flocks by night—saw the heavenly host and heard the “good tidings of great joy.”

The mystery of God in human form—the mystery of His incredible love for all humankind—still fills us with wonder and awe. He has made us for Himself and created us to reflect His character in the earth. “What is man that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that Thou visitest him?” asks the Psalmist. This same God who first made the earth, the material universe—every atom, every molecule, every impulse of energy, every light wave and sound wave, every radioactive element, every drop of water, every planet and every star—this same God has taken an interest in our lives together as a human family on this planet. He cares about you, your loved ones, and your relationships. He cares about how you treat your neighbour and how you pay your bills. He cares about the laws your MP makes and how lawyers and judges interpret the law.

And yes, He cares about how we vote and why we vote and if we vote. He cares about how we encourage good in this nation and how we restrain evil. He cares about how His name is honoured and how our children are raised.

A couple of thousand years ago, God looked down on Bethlehem and saw a man and a woman fulfilling their duty as good taxpaying citizens and trying to find a warm, safe place for their baby to be born. He had compassion on them that night so long ago and He shows that same compassion to us today. We may not think of a stable as a great place to give birth but it was adequate for the young woman and her first child. We may not always think that our circumstances are what they should be…but God has promised to meet our needs and to not allow us to be tested “beyond our ability to bear it.” If we are faithful to our calling as they were to theirs we shall truly see God work in and through us to perform His mighty miracles in our day.

Here we are in this exciting and challenging 21^st century; behind us are memories—some happy and some sad—which help us to understand God’s great love for us and for all mankind. He did not leave us helpless but sent His Son to be our Light, our Hope, and our Salvation. As a sign of His sovereignty, He sent wise men with royal gifts to welcome the Christ child. Today, He calls on us to welcome our risen and omnipotent Saviour and to offer to Him our worship and our faithful obedience in all areas of our lives, including the political realm. He is King over all creation and has planned for us acts of faith and obedience that will glorify Him. These are the gifts we can bring to the King. May each of you—whatever your circumstances this 2014 Christmas season—have a blessed time with family and friends reflecting on the wonderful visitation of God, His great love and mercy, and His eternal promises fulfilled through His Son, Jesus the Messiah.

Elaine and I wish you and your families a blessed Christmas. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Comment on this Communiqué