‘One Birth Changed History’

I was given a book mark the other day with the above caption on it. One birth changed history. One birth. Changed history. That is a very big claim. Yet it is very true. Whatever you personally think of Christ or Christmas, the influence of Christ has shaped much western civilisation and thought for centuries.
As a result of this one birth, we have fresh understanding of God and of ourselves. In a world where life was cheap and babies could be exposed to die, this one birth elevated human worth and value. In a world where poverty and injustice were simply the nature of things, this one birth exalted values of compassion, generosity and equality. In a world where long standing hatreds festered into violence and conflict, this one birth crossed those boundaries with forgiveness and sacrifice.
It is because of this one birth that the church exists today, in all its forms. It is the church of Jesus Christ, the ‘body of Christ’, diverse yet unified by a common identity. As Ephesians puts it so beautifully, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4-6).
On account of this one birth, my own life has been totally reshaped over the years. I still have much more to grow in, and learn, if I am to be more like Christ. Yet His life still inspires me and calls me to live by the values of God’s kingdom, counter cultural to the prevailing forces of much modern life.
On account of this one birth, our church has a vision to ‘transform the community with hope’. On account of this one birth, people serve and volunteer in order to bring the love of Christ to others today in a host of practical everyday ways.
I want to thank you all for journeying together over this past year. I am gratified for what God has been doing through us this year. As an all age church community, there is a huge pastoral care network that supports and sustains people in their lives, and which reaches beyond into the wider world.
May this Christmas and holiday season be a time when you may be refreshed and rested. May it be a time when you also discern His callings and leadings for the year ahead. I look forward to how He will continue to challenge and lead us in 2014, and I look forward to seeing how God will use each of you to do something beautiful for Him. This one birth continues to change history!