Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb 41 Days to Go!

41 Days to Go!

Sunday 16 November, 2008 · Posted by Raj Gupta

There is significant uncertainty in our world at this time. The very foundations of our economy have been threatened in recent months. Governments around the world seem powerless to bring stability. There have been, and continue to be, unprecedented rounds of meetings to try to resolve the difficulties. Governments around the world, including our own, are taking desperate measures.

These events have had such an impact because our society has so much of its security invested in the economy. Financial uncertainty leads directly to a lack of security.

In the western world, Christmas time has become the personification of materialism. Each successive year, we see less and less of Christ and secularism takes more and more hold to the point where it is becoming politically incorrect to talk about Christ at Christmas.

But lets pray this year will be different. History shows that in times and societies of affluence, people are less likely to listen to the wonderful news of Jesus. Why would they? Self sufficiency is working. Conversely, in times of hardship and poverty God so often works to bring the powerful and secure message of Jesus to transform people.

It may be 41 days out, but now is the time to plan to make the most of Christmas. This year our church will have 5 Christmas church meetings. They will each be targeted in a different way, as different styles appeal to different people. Each will contain a short, interesting and punchy encouragement to remember Jesus. And while inviting someone to church may be an easy way to raise their consciousness about Jesus, it is by no means the only way.

Your model will be just as powerful. While there may be a trend for the western world to go to church on Christmas Eve because it is ‘more convenient’, imagine the conversation starter it may be to say you have made a decision to start Christmas Day with Christ? It is a small example of what may be in your plan. Some will have even grander plans. But one thing is for sure: ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.

On another note, last week I asked those of you who read this blurb to let me know that you do. I thought I’d put this note in again to jog your memories.

Raj