Christmas and peace. How do those two words fit together in your mind? For some, peace at Christmas means getting together with and tolerating family members you dislike. For others, peace is only possible after Christmas, when the pace of everything slows down for the summer break. This week we look at the angels’ song in Luke 2 and the peace that they sing about. This peace is not the end of military conflict, family discord, financial anxiety, or even a frantic lifestyle. No, the peace they are proclaiming is peace with God and it’s linked to, not just the birth of the Saviour, but also his death on the cross that brought genuine forgiveness and peace. That is lasting peace. It's the peace we need more than anything else. By trusting in who Jesus is and what Jesus did, we receive the greatest Christmas gift of all. Peace with God! And if you have received it, savour it. Let it bring joy and praise to your heart and glory to God in the highest.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Luke 2:8-21

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Zechariah has spent nine months in total silence turning his thoughts over and over in his mind till they have blended into this amazing song. And what do the words teach us? That God has come to his people and redeemed them, just as he promised. That we are set free to worship him through forgiveness and for illumination. It is a song of exhortation to praise God, God who has stooped from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ, who has been faithful to his promises, who lights up our lives with the warmth of his love and who will lead us home. Interestingly, his song is not firstly about the son born to him in his old age, but praise to God who has remembered his promises. This is the joy that flows from the heart of Zechariah, and this joyful praise flows from our hearts that are stirred as we reflect on the God-man in the manger.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Luke 1:67-80

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Can you imagine Christmas without Christmas carols? Christmas carols are one of the things that make Christmas, Christmas. Songs praising the Saviour’s birth have always been a part of this celebration. Some songs were sung before the Saviour was even born, proclaiming his birth. Songs that proclaim a very special event, God taking on human flesh. Luke records songs from Mary, Zechariah, Simeon and angels. This Sunday we will look at the first song in the gospel, Mary’s song known as the Magnificat. It is a song that glorifies Jesus Christ as Lord, even before he was born. Her song of praise helps us praise our great Lord and saviour too.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Luke 1:39-56

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