Christmas Eve post by Pastor John Heron

 Only 1 more day to go….. have you bought your sprouts yet? Do you have enough mince pies to see you through to New Year? Are you ready for Christmas Day? Christmas has been described by John Piper as “the dawning of indestructible joy, because the joy Jesus was bringing into the world was like no other kind in history.” The joy that Jesus brings us is the very joy he has in God the Father, which he had for all eternity and will have forever. Speaking to his disciples, Jesus said: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15 v9-11)

If the coming of Jesus is the dawning of indestructible joy, no wonder Luke begins and ends his gospel with great joy.

• Zechariah is told that his son John will be a joy and delight (1 v14)
• John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb (1 v44)
• The people shared in Elizabeth’s joy at the birth of John (1 v58)

After the joy and delight of John the Baptist being born, it is the shepherds who hear the angel declaring: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2 v10-11) Good news, great joy, for all people, not just for one priest, his family and neighbours, but joy for all.

After Jesus lived, died and rose again, in the last chapter of his gospel Luke records more joy, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples: “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?” (Luke 24 v40-41)

Luke closes his gospel, after Jesus had ascended, with these words: “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24 v51-53)

Christmas is a time of indestructible joy, because Jesus has come, Jesus has died, been raised, ascended and has promised to return again.

‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come! let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing!’

John Heron is one of the pastor's at Carey Baptist Church, Reading.

John Heron is married to Philippa and they have two grown up children, Lucy, (married to Ben) and Will. John was born and grew up in beautiful Cornwall, before studying Estate Management at Kingston University, where he met Philly at the Christian Union. He then worked for a Housing Association before being sent by Hook Evangelical Church, to train at Oak Hill College. John served at Beccles Baptist Church in Suffolk for 3 years, before moving to Bedfordshire, where he was the Pastor of Sharnbrook Evangelical Church for 16 years.

 

John and Philly moved to Reading in 2024, when John joined Carey as Associate Pastor.

Contact John: john@careybaptistchurch.org.uk