Star of wonder

Star of wonder, star of might, star with royal beauty bright.

Isn’t it amazing that at the end of this year, the year that has shaken the planet to the core with the coronavirus, where not one single nation has been untouched, there is an event in our skies that everyone can see and marvel at.

It is the conjunction of Jupiter, the king planet and Saturn, the ruler and though these planets are hundreds of millions of miles apart they are passing one another in such a way that they appear to form one bright star in the night sky that all can see on Earth.  In the northern hemisphere it is equally significant as it appeared at its brightest on 21 December, the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. 

Even the most secular people are calling it the Christmas star. Surely it is no coincidence that at such a dark moment on the earth, when the virus is once again running rampant, a star to bring hope is shining in the darkness. 

This same conjunction may have been the star that heralded the birth of Jesus and brought the wise men to come and worship the king, the Light of the World. Just as that star proclaimed the new era, Immanuel God with us, so this star too is a sign that God is birthing a new era for planet Earth, the era of the King. 

As we face this very different Christmas and an uncertain 2021, may our hope not be placed vainly in 2021 being a better year just because it’s not 2020, or in a vaccine or anything else but in Jesus Christ the King, and in a God who loves us and sent us a sign that he has it, he’s in control.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 

Crowds are remarkably fickle

Crowds are remarkably fickle. They are easily influenced. Crowds followed Jesus wherever he went enjoying the miracles, hoping to be fed and generally in it for themselves. 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem just a week before his crucifixion, the crowd, inspired I think by the Holy Spirit, welcomed him with great enthusiasm shouting ‘Hosanna. Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord.’ They laid branches and clothes on the road and gave Jesus the right royal welcome that he deserved. 

There would have been crowds in Jerusalem all week, there for the Passover but when Jesus was arrested, tried and sentenced to death this same crowd who had been following him for years, had welcomed him into Jerusalem, turned on him and egged on by the religious leaders bayed for his blood. Jesus was deserted by not just the disciples, but also the crowd. 

Several weeks later the crowd were back in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost and drawn by the sound of rushing wind, they gathered and Peter preached his famous sermon and the fickle crowd who had deserted Jesus in their droves now turned to him to receive salvation. What a glorious day!

In these uncertain days of coronavirus, how essential it is that we are disciples of Jesus and not just part of the crowd. Crowds are notorious for yelling for what they want and not necessarily what’s good for everyone. We only have to see how crowds gather in complete defiance of government rules for our safety to do what they want. 

We are called to be people who follow Jesus and are influenced by what he is doing in these days. There are plenty of prophets of doom but not nearly enough prophets who bring the good news of Jesus and his salvation. The crowd is baying for lockdown or no lockdown and especially for their right to celebrate Christmas as they want to. They want a ‘normal’ Christmas but it is almost certain that is the one thing we won’t be having.

This must be the year when the Church gets out of their buildings and proclaims that Christmas is not about family, children, parties, presents or anything else, but about the birth of Jesus Christ. As Christians let’s focus on that – celebrating that in whatever way we can, bringing the good news of Jesus wherever we can and telling of his great love whenever and however we can.  

The amazing news in the midst of all this gloom is that God became Man and dwelt amongst us. As Christians we must tell of how we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth. Everyone can experience this.

I am hoping and praying that the Church will get out onto the streets this Christmas and be a different crowd – an army of Godly followers not following the crowd but bringing the crowd to Jesus. 

If I'd known ...

I was wondering recently what I would have done differently if someone had told us a terrible pandemic was coming which would affect the whole planet and completely transform our lives.

If I’d known we would be unable to travel and see family and friends, what might I have done? If I’d known that I couldn’t hug my children and grandchildren, how could I have prepared? If I’d know that going shopping would be very different, having to queue and wear masks. If I’d realised that even going to IKEA would turn into an awkward and unwelcome shopping experience. 

Queuing outside shops.

If I’d known that going to anywhere like a National Trust property would mean booking in advance, reduced numbers, social distancing, and then having to sit outside with a takeaway coffee and cake in the autumn chill, would I have stayed at home? If I’d known that social distancing meant treating everyone cautiously as a possible virus carrier and that our social life would be severely dented, what might I have done?

I feel as if we sleep walked into the pandemic, not having a clue what was facing us. At first it was quite enjoyable with the slow down in life but we didn’t have to home school children, while trying to work at home ourselves, in a small flat in the middle of a city. I didn’t lose my job nor was I furloughed. The pandemic is a great leveller. Everyone from the Queen to the humblest citizen had to stay at home unless they had an essential job, but it is the consequences now that have perhaps been the most shocking.  Our whole lives have not returned to what was normal and it does not look as if we will ever do so. 

What might I have done if I’d known?  I’m not sure there is anything I could really have done except perhaps been prepared mentally.  However that could have been counterproductive, as we may have imagined things far worse or quite differently. Someone recently asked why did God not warn us?  

I don’t know but the one thing God has promised and in my opinion has proved very faithful is that he will never leave us or forsake us.  My relationship with God, which was not that bad before, has deepened. I have never prayed as much or as strategically as I have in recent months. I have learned how to pray for nations and governments. I have learned to pray and trust God with the big things of life.  I have learned to be thankful for everything and maybe that is what I might have done if I’d known …I might have appreciated all that I had with a far greater depth of thankfulness. I may have valued everything and not taken so much for granted. 

I have also learned that ‘All things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.’   There is much good that has come out of this – the Church has emerged from its closed buildings onto the internet and has encountered so many more people. 

The Church, along with many others, has reached out to the poor and needy in our society. I remember the singing vicar who walked his streets singing Christian songs to encourage his parishioners. The Blessing has become an anthem of 2020. There have been many inspiring stories as people have reached out selflessly to those in need.

Abroad, those living in the greatest poverty before are living even more fragile lives once coronavirus hit their countries. It has been so good to stand with them in prayer and finance. 

There is now one absolutely certain fact. Everything has changed and almost certainly, nothing will go back to how it used to be.  Life may not be what I want, but I’m going to appreciate what I have now and take nothing for granted. It’s no point complaining; we still have much to be thankful for. 

God is working out a much bigger plan and purpose that should keep us focused, prayerful and expectant. We all have a part to play. The world needs Christians who can bring hope and life to those struggling with unemployment, debt, sickness and despair. There is a harvest out there and the Lord of the Harvest needs his harvesters ready with scythes and fishing nets. 

I never realised 2020 was going to be like this and none of us knows what 2021 might be like but even if the virus is still challenging our lives, still bringing unexpected and unwanted change, still confining us and making our relationships challenging, God is faithful and trustworthy. God is in control. 

Please leave a comment about what you might have done 'If I'd known ..."

A New Normal?

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16: 33

There have been all manner of posts, blogs, vlogs extolling the great virtues to us of the effect of the virus on our lives and how it has benefitted the planet – pollution down, wildlife able to roam more freely, the ability to hear birdsong in the quiet and so on. These are all wonderful things though they must be counterbalanced by sickness, death, loss of jobs and an inability to meet family and friends face to face, all of which are taking their toll.

I wondered though about the spiritual benefits and difficulties to Christians and the Church. All the church buildings in UK have had to close but that does not mean the Church has gone into hibernation. In fact it seems that the Church is flourishing.

Many churches are now providing a Sunday service online and even those whose churches do not have a service, have an overwhelming choice to join other church services. Even those with no internet may be provided for with sermons on CD. What is fascinating is how many people watch these online services – far more than go to the church building on a Sunday.

Worship has always been freely available online but now musicians are being incredibly creative in exploring how to knit together musicians and singers separated in person but one virtually. There are some wonderful worship hymns and songs out there. 

Small groups too can easily meet online during the week to strengthen and encourage one another and most churches are being very diligent in making sure their flocks are being looked after in every way. Phone calls, online chats and even popping by to drop off supplies can mean the lonely get to see a familiar face.

Families are meeting together to pray and read the Bible. Churches are having daily devotionals posted online to keep their flock strong. 

Prayer meetings are flourishing online and more people seem to be attending these than would normally go to the church building. Taking communion together online is another novel experience. There are even online Alpha courses. Children are having their own devotionals posted online to keep them strong.

Many, including children, are experiencing visions and dreams – though a word of caution – not everything that says it is from the Lord, is from above. One wise person said to me that there was far too many dubious opinions about the virus, how it started and when it might end, and what God is doing that he is just staying in the Word.

There is also no doubt that people are far more open to the Gospel and the amount of media attention given to the real meaning of Easter here in UK was amazing. The Queen, bless her, can be relied upon to gently but clearly show the importance of her faith and love for the Lord.

All this is fantastic and I love how the Church has stepped up to the challenge in incredibly creative ways to manage this unique situation and come out well. This leads though to the need for an exit strategy for the church as well as the nation. How will church look when we are released back into freedom? If it is business as usual, we have missed something. Surely this is a training time to grow in our own faith when isolated physically from other believers and to find fresh ways to reach more people with the Gospel who might not come through church doors.

New Christians are not used to going to church on Sunday mornings and may prefer to have an online church at a different time. Parents of young children will certainly like online small groups meaning they do not need babysitters.

An online Alpha course where you and your friend can meet together with others may be very appealing to those unused to church.

If more people prefer online prayer and let’s face it there has never been as much prayer as there is now, this has to be something to pursue. I have been involved in an online prayer meeting for years, long before the virus broke out, and we come together each week from all over the UK and even aboard.

The options available to the Church seem to be limitless and I feel it is so important that we pray into the future and what our own church needs to be exploring and how the Church in the nation needs to maintain the momentum generated by this crisis and resist every temptation to go back to how things were before.  There is no doubt this is a new day, a new season, no turning back, no turning back. This is the day for a new normal.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.²⁰ The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen ²¹ the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43: 19 – 21