A Christmas message & blessing for Alpha leaders!

CHRISTMAS, CALLINGS, PROMISES…and MISSIONS?!

by Pastor Al Bayne - December 2010

 

A fresh way for Ministers of the Gospel (yes that's you!) to consider the wonderful story of Christmas is to look at it from a "mission" point of view.  The Christmas story is an example of how God prepares, calls, confirms, protects, and provides for those who in faith have said 'yes' to missions (yes, Alpha is missions).

Firstly, even before the calling, God prepares the way (Luke 1:17).  "John will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

 

Secondly, the calling was unexpected, under unusual circumstances, to unlikely people.  I can relate to that – maybe you can too. (Matthew 2; Luke 1, 2)
 

Thirdly, they received confirmations of their calling:

· An angel spoke to Joseph (Matt 1:19-21)

· Elizabeth confirmed that her relative, Mary, would be the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:42-45)

· A unique star in the sky appeared, and guided them (Matt 2:2)

· Distinguished astrologers worshipped Mary’s baby as a King (Matt 2:11)

· Angels sent God-fearing shepherds to visit baby Jesus (Luke 2:9-20)

· Spirit-filled Simeon prophesied that Mary’s baby was the salvation of Israel (Like 2:25-35)

· The widow Anna prophesied that Mary’s baby was the redeemer (Luke 2:36-38)

· Later, when Jesus was 12, Mary witnessed Jesus' unusual wisdom when He taught the scholars in the temple (Luke 2:41-51)

 

Fourthly, their calling involved exercising faith in the face of hardship:

· Mary and Joseph had to allow themselves to be perceived as sinners - by their family, friends, and community. [A perception that never went away (John 6:42; 7:27)]

· They had to travel a long distance - while pregnant (Luke 2:4-5)

· They had to give birth in a less than ideal spot – a stable (Luke 2:6, 7)

· Later they had to travel to Egypt, a foreign country, and live there temporarily (Matt 2:13, 14)

· When they tried to return home, they were forced to live in a different region (Matt 2:21-23)

 

Fifthly, they received protection:

· God, in a dream, warned the Wisemen not to return to Herod (Matt 2:12)

· An angel gave them directions to go to Egypt (Matt 2:13)

· An angel gave them directions to return to Israel (Matt 2:19)

· God warned Joseph to avoid Judea and go to Galilee (Matt 2:22)

 

Sixthly, they received provision:

· God provided gold, frankincense, and myrrh – valuable substances.  No doubt this is how Mary & Joseph financed the early years of their ministry. (Matt 2:11)

 

Seventh, the mission was accomplished.(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

 

So based on the calling to ministry in the Christmas story, we learn:

· We can expect God to prepare a way for our ‘calling’

· We can expect the unusual, unexpected, even though we are the unlikelies

· We can anticipate confirmation of our calling

· We can know difficulties may accompany mission (it will require faith)

· We will receive protection

· We will receive provision

The mission will be accomplished!

 

This Christmas may you be blessed in your ‘calling’.  May the New Year bring you an increase in your faith. May you find the way prepared for you, may you be confirmed, protected and provided for, and may God’s Kingdom be built as you pursue your ‘calling’.

 

Al Bayne (to email Al, click here)

Alpha Regional Director, Manitoba & NW Ontario