This was another Christmas hymn I had never heard previously. Again, thanks to Anne Smith for the music and Beth Easton for the reading. I am so grateful for all the support I have received on this project.
The video is not the conventional Christmas message. I have already covered all the Bible passages which we normally associate with Advent and Christmas. I was reflecting on how we normally celebrate birthdays and it is usually an excuse for indulgence. A king's birthday is expected to be a grand affair and there would be lavish gifts and sumptuous meals. But that is miles away from the message of Christmas. I was struck by the verse I have quoted in the video.
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. [2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV]
I do not think that this verse is speaking of us becoming rich financially and materially because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Nevertheless, this verse made me think of poverty and what should be our attitude towards poverty. I do not accept the view that Jesus was saying that poverty is acceptable when he said, "the poor you will always have with you." (Matthew 26:11). In its context Jesus was approving of the actions of this lady in the home of Simon the Leper. The disciples were thinking it was a waste of money to spend so much on expensive ointment but Jesus approved of her act of devotion and worship. He was not suggesting that we should not care for the poor. The law of Moses which was given by God made provision for those in need such as widows and orphans and refugees. The passage in James' letter, which Beth Easton reads in the video, makes it explicit that Christians should care for the poor.
I once heard the singer Annie Lennox writing off a lovely Christmas song she was singing called "Il est ne le divin enfant' saying that she did not believe in Jesus Christ but she thought this was all about a condemnation of poverty. She has clearly missed the point about the incarnation. There is much more to the Christmas story than a message about poverty. He came as a Saviour to save His people from their sins. He came to reconcile sinful mankind and bring us back into a spiritual relationship with God. But there is a need to think about our attitude to poverty in a materialistic society and a society which is polarised with the haves and the have-nots. Many Christians in the west are well off materially and we have a responsibility as stewards for those who are struggling to make a living and to feed and clothe themselves. It is good that Christian churches are involved in food banks and it is good that there are organisations such as Christians Against Poverty etc. It is good that organisations such as Comfort International provide material support for poor people in parts of Africa. The pictures on the video come from India where there is also much poverty.
Hope you enjoy the video and that its message is a challenge to us this Christmas.
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