Dear Christian Friends,
FOUR POINTS TO PONDER BEFORE CHRISTMAS
THIRD ADVENT POINT: JESUS
This is the third point to ponder in our Advent series of four: God, us, Jesus, and you. We highlighted in the first point to ponder, that God has three key characteristics: He is loving, holy and just. We also heard about our duty to God and to our neighbors.
In the second point to ponder, the focus was us. God shows us that his redemption is the act which sets us free from the power of evil and sin, while revealing to us our need for forgiveness. God only forgives us when we truly repent. Unfortunately, a large majority of Christians believe in God and yet do not feel the need for forgiveness nor the need to truly repent.
So what does our loving and holy God do for us sinners? This is the third point to ponder: Jesus! Bill Hybels, in his best-seller: "Becoming a Contagious Christian", writes about the power of clear communication:
"God sent His only beloved Son as both God and man. As God, He had the power and authority to devise a plan for our salvation. As man, He was able to execute the plan by taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved. The central truth of our faith is that Christ died in our place, as our substitute. In doing so, He expressed the love of God, upheld the holiness of God, and satisfied the justice of God. He did all of that so that He could offer us His forgiveness, friendship and leadership as a free GIFT. We do not deserve it, we did not pay for it, and we cannot earn it!"
That is why it is important to make the Christian message crystal clear and communicate precisely the Good News of Jesus Christ. For God is not only our loving Father, He is also a righteous judge. A Christian must believe in Jesus Christ. He must believe in the word and work of Jesus Christ! That is why the first two sessions of the Alpha Course are: Who Is Jesus? and Why Did Jesus Die? By his death on the cross Jesus made it possible for us to be forgiven and have our relationship with God restored. The course leader, Revd. Nicky Gumbel says:
"The New Testament makes it clear that we have to do something to accept the free GIFT that God offers. This is an act of faith. We have to ask God to forgive us for all the things we have done wrong and turn from everything which we know is wrong in our life. This is what the Bible means by "repentance". We believe that Jesus died on the cross for us! We need to thank him for dying for us and for the offer of his free GIFT of forgiveness and freedom of the addiction of sin. God never forces his way into our lives. We need to accept his free GIFT and invite him to come and live within us."
Speaking for myself, I discovered during the Alpha Course that a true Christian can only come to Christ through faith and repentance. Do you believe in the word and work of Jesus Christ?
We celebrate the 'birthday' of Jesus at Christmas time, by taking Holy Communion in special remembrance of his birth and life. In this manner we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour.
Saturday, 15th December
15:00 - Choir of King's College Cambridge
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
19:30 - Traditional Christingle Service
Bilingual service recalling the Christmas story,
with the participation of the children from Kid's Corner.
This Sunday, 16th December
10:00 - Holy Baptism Service with Bishop Roger Bird.
This Sunday, 16th December
Celebrações Especiais das Creches Anglicanas,
com Reitor e Deão Revd. Aldo Quintão.
12:00 - 125 crianças da Vila Brasilândia.
18:30 - 125 crianças da Favela Paraisópolis.
Yes, Christmas is all about JESUS!