God speaks through Jesus
Read John 1:1-5, 14
The carol "Silent Night" wonderfully captures the quiet simplicity of Jesus' nativity, and it calms and comforts millions of people who sing and hear it every year. But of course the events of that night recounted in Luke's Gospel are far from silent. An angel announces the birth of a Saviour and King; a multitude of the heavenly host gives glory to God; shepherds rush to see the baby, telling the Good News and praising God, while those who hear their story are amazed. For Luke it is a night not of silence, but of excited and dramatic words.
And in that night a more profound word could also be heard: the definitive Word of God spoken to the world. In John's Gospel we read of one called "the Word", who existed in the beginning, who was with God and Himself God. Through Him God spoke creation into being; through Him God brought life and light to the world. This Word is God's supreme self-expression, in whom God makes Himself known to all people.
The Christmas message is that the Word has now become embodied in a human being and has lived in our midst. In this person, both human and divine, God has supremely and finally disclosed Himself to the world. The glory of God - His diving being in its splendour and majesty - is revealed in the words and works of Jesus Christ, as the nature of a father is exhibited in his only son. And the Word is full of the diving grace and truth that sets us free and brings us life.
During our Advent prayers, we have read about the many ways in which the words of Christians in the MENA are silenced by those who do not want to hear the message they proclaim. We have also seen how SAT-7 is giving them words again, both by providing them with a platform to express themselves, and by speaking up publicly on their behalf.
The Word of God cannot be chained, whatever penalties His people may receive for speaking for Him. He cannot be thwarted but will accomplish the purpose for which He was sent, despite the sufferings of those who confess His name. He cannot be silenced, however hard persecutors try to shout down the Churches' witness to Him. And even when the words of the MENA's Christians are stifled or suppressed for a while, He still speaks, in their patient endurance and unshakable faithfulness, and to sustain them in their trials.
May the Word that was spoken on that "silent night" in Bethlehem long ago sound in your hearts too this Christmas time.
God speaks through Jesus
Read John 1:1-5, 14
The carol "Silent Night" wonderfully captures the quiet simplicity of Jesus' nativity, and it calms and comforts millions of people who sing and hear it every year. But of course the events of that night recounted in Luke's Gospel are far from silent. An angel announces the birth of a Saviour and King; a multitude of the heavenly host gives glory to God; shepherds rush to see the baby, telling the Good News and praising God, while those who hear their story are amazed. For Luke it is a night not of silence, but of excited and dramatic words.
And in that night a more profound word could also be heard: the definitive Word of God spoken to the world. In John's Gospel we read of one called "the Word", who existed in the beginning, who was with God and Himself God. Through Him God spoke creation into being; through Him God brought life and light to the world. This Word is God's supreme self-expression, in whom God makes Himself known to all people.
The Christmas message is that the Word has now become embodied in a human being and has lived in our midst. In this person, both human and divine, God has supremely and finally disclosed Himself to the world. The glory of God - His diving being in its splendour and majesty - is revealed in the words and works of Jesus Christ, as the nature of a father is exhibited in his only son. And the Word is full of the diving grace and truth that sets us free and brings us life.
During our Advent prayers, we have read about the many ways in which the words of Christians in the MENA are silenced by those who do not want to hear the message they proclaim. We have also seen how SAT-7 is giving them words again, both by providing them with a platform to express themselves, and by speaking up publicly on their behalf.
The Word of God cannot be chained, whatever penalties His people may receive for speaking for Him. He cannot be thwarted but will accomplish the purpose for which He was sent, despite the sufferings of those who confess His name. He cannot be silenced, however hard persecutors try to shout down the Churches' witness to Him. And even when the words of the MENA's Christians are stifled or suppressed for a while, He still speaks, in their patient endurance and unshakable faithfulness, and to sustain them in their trials.
May the Word that was spoken on that "silent night" in Bethlehem long ago sound in your hearts too this Christmas time.
God speaks through Jesus
Read John 1:1-5, 14
The carol "Silent Night" wonderfully captures the quiet simplicity of Jesus' nativity, and it calms and comforts millions of people who sing and hear it every year. But of course the events of that night recounted in Luke's Gospel are far from silent. An angel announces the birth of a Saviour and King; a multitude of the heavenly host gives glory to God; shepherds rush to see the baby, telling the Good News and praising God, while those who hear their story are amazed. For Luke it is a night not of silence, but of excited and dramatic words.
And in that night a more profound word could also be heard: the definitive Word of God spoken to the world. In John's Gospel we read of one called "the Word", who existed in the beginning, who was with God and Himself God. Through Him God spoke creation into being; through Him God brought life and light to the world. This Word is God's supreme self-expression, in whom God makes Himself known to all people.
The Christmas message is that the Word has now become embodied in a human being and has lived in our midst. In this person, both human and divine, God has supremely and finally disclosed Himself to the world. The glory of God - His diving being in its splendour and majesty - is revealed in the words and works of Jesus Christ, as the nature of a father is exhibited in his only son. And the Word is full of the diving grace and truth that sets us free and brings us life.
During our Advent prayers, we have read about the many ways in which the words of Christians in the MENA are silenced by those who do not want to hear the message they proclaim. We have also seen how SAT-7 is giving them words again, both by providing them with a platform to express themselves, and by speaking up publicly on their behalf.
The Word of God cannot be chained, whatever penalties His people may receive for speaking for Him. He cannot be thwarted but will accomplish the purpose for which He was sent, despite the sufferings of those who confess His name. He cannot be silenced, however hard persecutors try to shout down the Churches' witness to Him. And even when the words of the MENA's Christians are stifled or suppressed for a while, He still speaks, in their patient endurance and unshakable faithfulness, and to sustain them in their trials.
May the Word that was spoken on that "silent night" in Bethlehem long ago sound in your hearts too this Christmas time.
Pray
Word of God, as we celebrate Your coming into the world, graciously speak to us and Your people in the MENA, and speak through us to share Your light and life with the world You came to save. Amen.
Keep praying with us
Thanks so much for joining us in prayer this Advent. If you'd like to pray for the Middle East every day going forwards, you might like our quarterly Prayer Diary! In it you'll find daily prayer points for the region and SAT-7's work, as well as a couple of longer articles. Find out more and sign up to SAT-7 here.