Planning the Nativity
How much planning does your Christmas take? The time off work, the school events, the presents, the family arrangements, the food, the decorations. It's a lot to think about, isn't it?
Dan Orange grew up in a large family - three sisters and a brother - and for a few Christmases, they had 28 people around the table. They had to hire the village hall to fit everyone in. It was, as Dan puts it, "a military operation."
But what struck him as he prepared this talk is that God's planning for the first Christmas makes our most elaborate family gatherings look like a last-minute dash to the shops. And exploring the parallels between our Christmas traditions and God's preparation reveals something profound about who God is and who we are to him.
Have We Substituted Familiarity for Wonder?
Most of us have heard the nativity story countless times. We know the characters. We can probably recite chunks of it from memory. But familiarity can breed a kind of spiritual sleepwalking - we hear the words without really hearing them.
So what if we look at God's Christmas planning alongside our own traditions? Cards, carols, guests, decorations, presents, the feast and see if the comparison reveals something we might have missed.
700 Years of Preparation
When we send Christmas cards, we might post them a few weeks early. Perhaps we're the organised sort who gets them done in November. But God?
"How about 700 years before the event you tell someone what's going to happen?" Dan asked. "Now that's planning."
Through Isaiah, God announced: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
This wasn't a vague hint. It was a proclamation - God's style of invitation. And he didn't stop there. A few hundred years later, through Micah, he named the location: Bethlehem. Through Hosea, he dropped another clue about Egypt.
Scholars have identified over fifteen Old Testament prophecies pointing to this moment. God wasn't improvising. He was orchestrating.
When Heaven Couldn't Stay Quiet
For the big announcement, God didn't send a text or even a well-designed invitation. He sent angels. And not just any angels - Gabriel, described in Scripture as "the one who stands in the presence of God."
Dan pointed out that, "whenever the Bible talks about an angel visiting, the most common first words seem to be 'do not be afraid.' Which to me says it was an imposing, impressive sight."
These weren't the gentle, decorative figures we stick on top of Christmas trees. These were beings that reflected God's glory - powerful enough to terrify shepherds keeping watch over their flocks.
And then came the moment when heaven itself seemed to burst open. A multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."
"Can you imagine the sound of heaven singing?" Dan wondered. "I sometimes think, do you think people in the village close by saw some kind of glow, a bit like the northern lights or something? Or was it just for those shepherds?"
Heaven, it seems, simply couldn't keep quiet about this event.
The First Carol
Before the shepherds heard the angels sing, there was another song. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth after Gabriel's announcement, something remarkable happened. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and confirmed that Mary was carrying the Christ. And Mary's response? She sang.
"My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."
Dan suggested this might be the first Christmas carol. And it set a pattern that continues to this day.
"I love carols," Dan said, "because so many of them have amazing, uncompromising lyrics. And because of this, it's perhaps the only time that the good news of Jesus can get told in schools, on TV, on the radio, in shops."
He rattled off some examples. From "Once in Royal David's City": "And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love." From "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen": "To save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray." From "Hark the Herald Angels Sing": "God and sinners reconciled."
"These lyrics don't hold back, do they?" Dan observed. "They really show the importance and the reason for God sending his only son."
A King in a Cattle Shed
Everything had come to this point in time. The prophecies, the angels, the songs. And yet - no room at the inn.
"Seems like such an oversight, doesn't it?" Dan noted.
Mary gave birth amongst cattle, probably in a space beneath where family members lived. Not exactly a royal welcome for the King of Heaven.
"It doesn't matter where he was born. Jesus is God's son. He was born on this earth. His lineage is the same. The fact that he was born with the cattle is neither here nor there."
The humble surroundings didn't diminish who Jesus was. As the Old Testament says in Zechariah: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begun."
Decorations Written in the Stars
What about decorations? Well, the angels lighting up the sky for the shepherds was fairly impressive. But Dan took us back even further - to the very beginning.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... And God said let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens, lights to give light on earth, and it was so."
The star that guided the wise men wasn't an afterthought. "God put this star in place for this moment from day four of creation," Dan explained. "Perhaps it was a collection of stars, perhaps planets aligning. Or perhaps, as God led the people of Israel in the desert with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, it could have been something we've never witnessed since or ever will again."
Whatever it was, it was planned.
Presents with Purpose
The wise men didn't grab gift cards on the way. Their presents were laden with meaning.
"Gold for a king, to show his royalty. Frankincense used in sacrifices to give a sweet aroma. And myrrh signifies his death as an embalming liquid."
In three gifts, they summarised who Jesus was and what he came to do. God planned for his son to be born into this world, to live, to be a sacrifice, to die, and to rise again. The presents told the whole story.
The Feast is Open
So we've covered invitations, carols, guests, decorations, and presents. What about the food? The celebration?
Dan's answer pointed beyond Christmas Day: "The feast, I would say, is open to all who accept the invitation. Jesus the king is waiting to share heaven with us."
He quoted from Revelation: "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who desires take the water of life without price."
"The Bible often likens heaven to a wedding feast," Dan explained. "The church being God's bride. He's the first and the last. He's planned Christmas. He's planned salvation. It's open to all. We just have to accept it."
Conversation Street
What helps you stay focused on Jesus during the Christmas busyness?
The conversation revealed some beautifully simple practices. Claire shared how she deliberately placed her nativity scene high up with Jesus right in the centre, praying "Jesus, be the centre" as she did so. Dan's family reads the Christmas story together on Christmas morning - sometimes using David Suchet's reading from The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Sharon mentioned having a playlist of carols with spiritual depth, noting that while shops play Christmas songs, genuine carols with their powerful lyrics often get overlooked. She also described an Advent calendar with 24 cards, each featuring a different name of Jesus with Scripture on the back.
How does the "do not be afraid" message land in today's anxious world?
Claire raised this powerfully: "We live in a very scary world. People are very anxious, for all sorts of reasons and with justification."
The angels' repeated phrase - "do not be afraid" - wasn't because they were threatening harm. It was because being in the presence of something reflecting God's glory was overwhelming. And yet the message they carried was one of peace.
Sharon connected this to our information overload: "In the age of the internet, we get global news 24 hours a day, which is far too much for us to cope with. The Christmas message is that message of hope and of God saying, 'do not be afraid.'"
What does it mean that God came as a helpless baby?
The conversation explored the remarkable humility of God, limiting himself to human form. Claire referenced the poet John Donne, who described Jesus entering a human body as being "cloistered" - literally confining himself within the limits of a human womb.
"If I was to state my 'here I am, look at me' as God," Claire reflected, "that isn't how I would do it. But his approach is so humble."
Sharon shared a story from the Inspired podcast about a family who moved their children into a failing school because they felt God calling them to become "one of the people rather than outsiders." The relationships transformed when they became part of the community rather than observers.
"There's something about the Christian story in that," Sharon noted. "God himself comes down and becomes one of us. He knows what it's like to live in a human body and face the things we face."
He Planned You Too
Dan's closing brought everything personal. God's planning wasn't just about Christmas. It includes each one of us.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
The same God who planned Christmas 700 years in advance, who positioned stars at creation, who orchestrated prophecies and angels and songs - that same God planned you.
"Where's your identity?" Dan asked. "Is it in your lifestyle, what you do? Or is it in Christ, as God's son or daughter? Royalty?"
Something to Consider This Christmas
What would change if we approached this Christmas season knowing we're part of a plan that stretches back beyond time itself?
The carols we hear aren't just festive background music - they're proclamations of truth that even secular spaces can't silence. The decorations and traditions aren't just cultural habits - they can become reminders of God's meticulous, loving preparation. The family chaos and planning stress? Even that echoes something of how much thought God put into bringing heaven to earth.
Perhaps this Christmas, when you're peeling vegetables or wrapping presents or hearing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in a shopping centre, you might pause and remember: 700 years of planning. Stars positioned at creation. Heaven is bursting open with song. All for a baby in a manger. All for you.
The feast is still open. The invitation still stands.
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Matt Edmundson: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to Crowd Church coming to you live from Liverpool this Sunday night. My name is Matt Edmundson, and whether this is your first time or whether you've been part of our journey since the beginning, it's brilliant to be with you. We are a community of people figuring out what it means to follow Jesus.
In real life, not the polished, perfect version, but you know, the messy, genuine, brilliant reality of this whole thing called Christianity. So let me give you a little roadmap of what's gonna be happening over the next hour. We'll have a talk last about 20 minutes looking at the topic of relationships, which is the section of our series becoming whole, that we are looking at exploring how Christ makes us whole across every domain of life.[00:01:00]
After the talk, we've got conversation streets. Oh yes. This is where we dig into what you've just heard, and you get to be part of that discussion. So if you're with us live, jump into the comments, share your questions, your thoughts, and your stories. And of course, if you are watching on Catchup or listening to the podcast, then thanks for being part of the Crowd too.
Right? Let's meet your hosts and let's get started.
Sharon Edmundson: Hello everybody and welcome to Crowd. Uh, my name's Sharon and I'm hosting tonight alongside the fabulous Claire who's not been with us for a while.
Claire Glare: Hello. So welcome back, Claire. Thanks for having me.
Sharon Edmundson: Yeah, I think it, um, Claire, I think you're always great at bringing a sense of joy and fun into any room and any conversation.
So, as well as the spiritual aspect, of course, I'm looking forward to that. Yeah. Um, tonight we're also joined by Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus on the back wall. For those of you who can see [00:02:00] the video, um, we've got in this church building, we've got these fabulous life size, um, what are they called? Like, uh, images of different.
People from the Nativity story. Um, yeah, quite impressive. So tonight what's happening is we have, uh, Dan, who's gonna be speaking to us about, uh, Christmas. So it's the first of our Christmas series. And then after that I'll be joined by Claire and Dan and we will discuss the talk, um, and any questions or comments that you've got.
So, as usual, do. Putting, posting in the comments and we will try and pick up on what you're saying. So we will get straight into the talk. So over to Dan, who looks like he's enjoying Christmas from the, the jumper.
Dan Orange: Well, I thought I better put my, um, here we go. Look, this guy loves Christmas. I thought I better put my Christmas jumper on for the first of the Christmas talks.
Uh. Yeah. And Matt says That's right. [00:03:00] Um, when you're doing Christmas, your Christmas, how much planning does your Christmas take from sorting time off work for kids and school events, activities, presents, family arrangements, food, decorations? It's a lot to think about, isn't there? Um, I grew up in a large family, so I've got three sisters and a brother.
And it was great fun at Christmas, but it was full on, so it had to be pretty organized. And when there's a lot of you, uh, and then you add in aunties and uncles and grandparents, there's a lot of planning, especially around food and timings of when to when to put the Turkey on, when to peel all the. Get all the vegetables done stuff in, get the stuff in done.
The roast is, and then as the family grows, there's grandkids as well. For few, few Christmases, we had 28 people around the table. We had to hire the village hall to get everyone in. It was a military operation. What's your planning of Christmas like? Perhaps it's a, perhaps it's a much smaller [00:04:00] affair. I remember when I was dating Lisa, my wife, well my wife now that went to her family for Christmas the first time I was not at home for Christmas, and she has a small family, just her mum and dad and brother, and it was very different.
They didn't know what time they were gonna sit down for Christmas lunch. I couldn't get my head around that. When, when you're putting the Turkey on, oh. It just blew my mind from going from such a, a military operation to such a more relaxed way of doing Christmas. Families are great, aren't they? And so different.
The reason I'm saying this is that when I was asked to do a talk about Christmas, I was thinking of what to say and was struck by God's planning so many things that he brought together for the, for the OG Christmas. For the first original Christmas, I thought it'd be good to look at God's planning alongside some of our plans and Christmas traditions and see where the [00:05:00] similarities lie.
So. To start off, we've got, um, invitations or Christmas cards. Um, oh, I'm scrolling in too fast here. So who sends out Christmas cards now? Do you send those out? I've never really been a big card person. Perhaps I might send a card to someone I've not seen in a long while. A bit of a, you know, this is what's been happening over the year.
Almost like a family update or who remembers? And if it was just me or who remembers at school giving out Christmas cards with all your friends. So you saw them all every day, but then you just get a card, it say to Chris, from Dan to Scott. From Dan to Beinder. From Dan. Or sometimes the cards are received.
It didn't have my name on. They were just from, from such and such, and they just. Oh, oh, I forgot about that person. And you get all these, these cards. You come home with all your, with all your school cards. That's perhaps not the greatest of love that went into those. It was just a [00:06:00] thing that you, you did.
Um, so let's look at God's invitation, how he did it. How about his preparation? How about 700 years before the event you tell someone what's going to happen? Now that's planning. So God said to Isaiah. And you've probably heard this verse for us, for to us, a child is born to us, a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, of the increase of his government and of peace.
There will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this. Well, that's a proclamation, isn't it? That's a God's style of planning. An invitation, being prepared before, you know, before Daniel [00:07:00] and lives and before the fall of Jerusalem, before the rebuilding, sort of repentance, multiple for profits, God had his plan 'cause he knew that there needed to be a rescuer, that after all the failure of his people.
The laws, the judges, the kings, the wars, the sacrifices that there needed to be something more, someone more a child, a royal child. But God doesn't just end it there with just one invitation or Christmas card if you like. A few hundred years later, God drops a few more hints where it was going to happen.
To Micah, he says, but you o Bethlehem. Aha. I'm just gonna say leave that there who are too little to be among the clans of Judah from you shall come forth. For me. One who is to be ruler in Israel, who's coming forth is from old and from ancient days. And, uh, Hosea. When Israel was a child, I loved him. [00:08:00] And out of Egypt I called my son.
So God spoke to multiple prophets about a coming king. There's a few that, just a few that I've mentioned there, and scholars, believers over 15 in the Old Testament pointing to this, not just to Christmas, but to the Messiah. Come in. So back to our traditions, we've given out Christmas cards and then it's time to arrange the more finer details of the family.
Um, exactly who's coming. Perhaps this is where the tricky conversations might happen in the family. Does the. Does Auntie Ethel need to come? She only sleeps and dribbles. Should you invite family members that have been estranged or been a bit tricky over the year, or are you much more welcoming and it's time to knock next door and invite your neighbor who's home alone for Christmas day?
So you need to make some phone calls, perhaps a knock on next door in a conversation or a WhatsApp group with the family and close friends you've narrowed it down to, to [00:09:00] arrange and agree those details. And well, if you're God, and it's a huge announcement, it's the first Christmas, it's your son, then angels.
Angels are obviously the way forward. They're the signal that this is message is worth proclaiming. You've got your head Angel on the case. Two, the Warrior, Gabriel. The Bible says he's the one who stands in the presence of God. Perhaps when you think of angels, it's more of a angel on the top of a Christmas tree.
More decoration than powerful being, but they must have been impressive things to behold. There are lots of descriptions in the Bible of angels, some with many wings, some as mighty warriors, and whenever the Bible talks about angel visiting, the most common first words seem to be, do not be afraid. Which to me says it was like an imposing, impressive sight.
Not that they were going to do, you know, someone some harm that, you know, don't be afraid I'm gonna hurt you, but just a [00:10:00] sense of this being in the presence of God and God and this delivering this message. There's message messenger's gonna reflect his glory, going to display some of God's light and His power and his glory.
What an experience that must have been. So the angel comes and prepares the main cha characters, Mary and Joseph, and the angel comes to Joseph in a dream and to Mary comes to her house. That visit to Mary had a pro profound effect on her, as it would, you know, she went to see her cousin Elizabeth. And the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and confirmed that the baby insider was from God.
And Mary wrote a song. I wondered, perhaps this was the first we could call. Call it the first Carol. So we've had our invitations at Christmas cards and now Carol or a song, and Mary was filled with joy and sang a song to the Lord. These are a few [00:11:00] verses, and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior, for he has looked on the humblest estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. But he is mighty, has done great things for me, and holy is his name. She was humbled at being chosen and knew the magnitude of what this meant for her, of who this son would be. So is that the first Carol? I love a good Carol. Um, or a Christmas song.
Um, I, I've written this in my notes. I don't quite know how to introduce it. I was like, do I sing? Don't think that's a good thing, but who knows the song like Mary did. You know? Um, I was thinking that after that we, we just heard the Mary song. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Well, she did. That's not some of the answers to all the bits in that song. We do love that song. I love Carol's because so many of them have [00:12:00] amazing uncompromising lyrics. And because of this, it's perhaps the only time that the good news of Jesus can get told in like in schools, on tv, on the radio, in shops.
There's some great lyrics out there, aren't there? Perhaps you've not really taken it in when you've heard them. So I've got, I've just a few snippets of some classics here. So we've got once in Royal, David City has these words. And our eyes at last shall see him through his own redeeming love for that child.
So dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above, or oh, come you faithful Word of the Father. Now in flesh, appearing and even God rescue you, Mer. Gentleman, we might have that as a very jingly, oh, we don't think about it, but look at this verse to save us all from Satan's power where we have gone astray.
And heart. The Herald Angels sing Peace on Earth and mercy. Mild God [00:13:00] and sinners reconciled. It's an amazing event. Christmas started a little town of Bethlehem where milk souls will receive him. Still the dear Christ enters in, cast out our sin and enter in Be born in us today. These lyrics don't hold back, do they?
Great truth, and really show the importance. Of Christmas, the importance and the reason for God sending his only son. But even these carols are eclipsed by Gods dare I say, his performance. As we're getting closer to the actual birth, God doesn't hold back. Remember the angel Gabriel? Well now he's back, and this time there are more angels and the singing.
Here's what the Bible says. You've probably heard this so many times at Nativities, but let me read it out. Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock By night and behold, an angel of the Lord stood [00:14:00] before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.
The phrase again, then the angel said to them, do not be afraid for behold, I'll bring you good tidings of great joy. There will be. To all people good. Tis a great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you.
You'll find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, and suddenly there was with them. Angels, a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men. Wow. Fancy being there again, there's like that, that phrase, do not be afraid.
These shepherds were stunned at the site. What an announcement. The shepherds get the full info. This is for all people. [00:15:00] Christ the Lord is being born. Can you imagine the sound of heaven singing? I sometimes wonder, do you think people in the the village close by saw some kind of glow bit like, I dunno, like the northern lights or something?
Or was it just for those shepherds and then. I also thought what happened to those shepherds? You know, later in Jesus's Jesus' life, when people were saying, is this reading the Messiah? Is he the son of God? Were the shepherds. Did they get the message and go, yes he is. We got the announcement. Listen to the man.
He's God, what a night to have been there on those fields. They heard the message, and then heaven opens and the angels sing an announcement of heavenly hosts. I love this. Heaven breaks out and announces the news. It just can't keep quiet about this event. So we've had the invitations and the carols and, and now the location's being given by angels.
How about the location planning for your [00:16:00] Christmas, for the Christmas meal? Is it your family's home, your house with friends? Perhaps perhaps this Christmas, it's on your own. Perhaps plans have fallen through or changed last minute. They're not what you had planned. So God had his angels, their songs prophecies named a town for the birth hundreds of years ago, but there was no room at the end.
Seems like such an oversight, doesn't it?
Everything had come to this point in time. Mary's about to give birth. The right people have been informed, songs have been created and sung. The key is coming to a small. Inconspicuous space probably, probably under perhaps where some family members live, some cousins, and they were there amongst the cattle.
The king of heaven, the son of man is born. Um, earlier this week, Gavin Calva, who's the head of the Evangelical Alliance, he posted this pic and [00:17:00] I love it. It's um, it's just gonna come up now. It's the. The king bed. Look at that king size bed. I love it. It just shows that God is God. Jesus is God's son, his royalty.
It doesn't matter where he was born. We're all part of a family. We, we have parents, whether we knew them or not. Nothing can change that. Not where we're born or who we're born to. It's a fact. Jesus is God's son. He was born on this earth. A virgin birth. Yes, it was before Mary knew Joseph God by the Holy Spirit, caused her to be pregnant.
Um, she went later on to have other children by Joseph. The Bible talks about multiple of Jesus' brothers and sisters. So Jesus is God's son with all the inheritance that comes from being the king of heaven. The fact that he was born with the cattle is neither here nor there. His lineage is the same. And the Bible [00:18:00] says back again in the Old Testament, in Zacharia, do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begun.
If you know Jesus, stand fast in your inheritance in who your heavenly Father is, that makes your son or daughter of God, Jesus' birthplace didn't make him a king. He's a king because of his father. So we've had invitations, we've got Carol's, got the location. How about decorations? Well, I suppose you can't discount the angels lighting up the sky for the shepherds.
That's pretty, pretty decorative, pretty impressive. But this Christmas is planned, so we've heard about the planning and prophecies hundreds of years before. But I'd like to say God planned this event even before that. Even before Israel messed up, even before King David. Even before Adam. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Then God made two [00:19:00] great lights. The greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the di. He made the stars. Also, this was the fourth day, so God spoke the stars and planets into space. On the fourth day, that's good planning, isn't it? And wise men from the east, the The Magi, the Magi, these astronomers who followed the stars, knew something big was gonna happen.
I've looked into this a little bit, um, to see, you know, was this a star? Could it have been a comet? Because I've heard that talk before. Um, and the Hayley's comet was around about 11 bc, which is probably a little bit late, and apparently at that time as well, come comet comments were viewed as a bad omen, so not a good sign.
So probably not a comment. Some scientists say it may have been a coming together of multiple planets. Uh, one option is Jupiter, Saturn, the moon and the sun all coming together in a conjunction, [00:20:00] which would've been seen in the day as well. Um, and that was on April the 17th, six bc so you never know, and the naked eye would've just seen that as one star.
Or, or perhaps as God led the PE people of Israel in the desert with a cloud by day and a purify by night, it could have been something we've never witnessed since or ever will again, we probably won't know know this side of heaven, but we do know it was planned. So God put these objects in the sky for these men to follow, and they came and met Mary Joseph and Jesus and bowed to the king in Jesus's home.
Yeah. Not the major. I didn't know this, but only since reading into it that a number of scholars believe that, 'cause it says the word home. This was possibly a couple of years after his birth. So they didn't bump into the shepherds on the way. Um. So those N Nty cards might have to have a little, you know, little change.
Um, and they [00:21:00] bought presents. So we've got invitations, carols, guests, decorations, and now presents. It's all being planned. Um, are your presence, you by thought through. Or do you buy from a list? Is that, you know, you got your um, your nephews and nieces and they've got their Christmas list and you pick one off that, or you're a gift card type person, or do you get caught up in the Christmas adverts in the uk?
I dunno if it's the same in other parts of the world, but we, when we're getting close to Christmas, we normally start seeing perfume adverts. Yep. Normally some celebrity often in black and white looking like they must smell nice. I suppose that's what the advertisers want us to think. They look good.
They must smell nice, and then there's some kind of speech over the video. Um, me and my son just look at each other and laugh and so when have we see Johnny Depp come up with his cavage in the [00:22:00] wild? Everything is in front of you. I dunno who comes up with these things anyway. No matter how you decide on your presence, the wise men took great thought over their choices.
Gold for a king to show his royalty. We got frankincense used in sacrifices to give a sweet aroma, and meh signifies his death as an embalming liquid. So God planned the first Christmas planned for his son to be born into this world, king of heaven, to be born as a son of man, to live, to be a sacrifice.
And to die and rise again for us. So Christmas invitations, carol's guests, decorations, presents. What about the food? What about the actual celebration? Feast? Well. The feast, I would say, is open to all, all who accept the invitation. Jesus the king is waiting to share heaven [00:23:00] with us. He's waiting for us because he came as a baby and died as the son of man, as a sacrificer for us, so that we can be welcomed in because his planning was before the creation of the world for us to live with our Heavenly Father.
The last book of the Bible and the last chapter says, I am the Omega. The alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. The spirit and the bride say, come and let the one who hears say, come and let the one who is thirsty come and let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
The Bible often likens heaven to a wedding feast. The church being God's bride. The Bible shows us in the parable of the prodigal son. And you can go back and listen to some great talks about that on the on the Crowd website that the father has his arms open for us to come back to the family. He's the first and the last.
He's planned Christmas. He's planned [00:24:00] salvation. It's open to all. We just have to accept it. Accept his invitation to come and be filled to feast. To live with the king, to sing with the angels, to attend the wedding feast, to worship the king of kings. Where's your identity? Is it in your lifestyle, what you do, or is it in Christ as God's son or daughter?
Royalty? The writer of Hebrews says, we're heirs of righteousness. Come and be part of God's family. Let me finish with. Psalm 139 'cause God's planning. It's not just of Christmas, but he planned you as well. It says this for you, formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was [00:25:00] being made in the secret. Intricately woven in the depths of the the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance. In the book, in your book were written. Every one of them. The days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.
He knew everything about you. Thank you.
Sharon Edmundson: Thank you, Dan. And thank you to everyone who's, um, been writing in the comments. Uh, I put a question in there about, um, do people like Christmas and why? Um, and it seems that most people, uh. I think do like Christmas for a variety of reasons. Um, we've got Matt put that the magic started when he was a kid, um, but now has got extra meaning because of, uh, his Christian faith.
Um, for Heather saying it was really special, the food, the prep, and the spirituality. Um, Luna. Used to love Christmas when had all the family, but it's not the, [00:26:00] not the same without everyone. That is a thing, isn't it? It it can be a hard time as well as a, a happy time if you are missing people that used to be there.
Um, yeah, I, yeah, so lots of reasons to like Christmas and then a few that are slightly more tricky, but we're here really to talk about Dan's talk, so Claire. Is there anything in particular that you, that stood out to you or you're like, I actually wanna pick up on that point?
Claire Glare: I think, I think there was loads well done Dan.
I thought it was a brilliant kind of way to approach something that I think lots of us are very familiar with that the nativity story. Um, but the thing that stuck out, stuck out to me first was about not being afraid. And um, and I just thought, gosh. We are, we live in a very scary world, don't we? Um, there's a lot going on.
Um, people are very anxious and, um, [00:27:00] people struggle with that, you know, every day. Um, for all sorts of reasons and, and with justification. And, um, and I just, uh, I was actually talking about. The Angel Gabriel with my son who's nine today. And I was, we were, we were laughing about it. He'd made it a li a little toy in, in church today.
And um, and he and I was saying, oh, tell me about the angel Gabriel. And he was describing about it and I said, I think if you'd seen Angel Gabriel, you would just fall flat on your face. 'cause he would be, you know, we would say, I think he was saying. Oh, I give him a slap. And I was like, no, you wouldn't. You really wouldn't.
But, um, but, but just going back to that, being not afraid, I think, um, you know. The angels were just saying, and God says to us today, do not be afraid. And I love that encouragement. Really. So
Sharon Edmundson: yeah, I was talking about this with someone recently [00:28:00] because I think in the age of the internet now we get global news that we can have access to 24 hours a day, which is far too much for us to cope with.
I think in the old days you would. Hear the news from your local area, um, and even that would be enough, but now it can be completely overwhelming. Um, yeah, so I think the, the Christmas message is that message of hope and of God saying, do not be afraid. The thing I think I find. Interesting about that as well is it's the angel that they were saying, don't be afraid.
This is a messenger from God. And it, it was him, you know, the angels that were this cause of fear in a sense, but they were from God. But yeah, I think a very important point. And the fact that we, we have hope because of Jesus in this dark world.
Claire Glare: Yeah. Yeah, that's right.
Sharon Edmundson: Um, yeah. Uh. I, one of the things I really liked about this talk was I think [00:29:00] the comparison with our Christmas routines and just that reminder that, um, for those of us who have faith, um, I mean, I dunno the Origin of all our different customs, I.
Some of the, the Origins may be good, some may be not so good, but the fact that actually now we can use those as a reminder to point us back to Jesus. I really kind of like that, you know, from thinking of, um, cards as the announcement and, um, angels preparing the main characters. So when we're thinking of prep, just thinking, thinking back to, oh yeah, God's prepared and God prepares.
His people, he prepares for his plan.
Claire Glare: Um, um, incredible Pat Prep, really, you know, just really beautifully packed. Yeah. Unpacked by Dan, you know, just even the stars were made, you know, on on day four. Um, but, but also, you know, just 700 years before Isaiah, the prophet is talking about, you know, that, that [00:30:00] brilliant for prophecy that we refer to at Christmas time.
And you know that, that is serious planning, isn't it? Which you, you'd expect from God.
Sharon Edmundson: You would expect really, wouldn't you? Yeah. Um. What else? I've got got notes here. I'm trying to make sense of them right now. Beautifully written
Claire Glare: green.
Sharon Edmundson: Yes, I do like a bit of green. Um, another thing that I, I love about the Christmas story is about God himself coming down to our level and not even coming as a king, although.
You know, there is that aspect, but coming as a helpless baby is quite incredible. And, um, I was listening to a podcast this week. Um, it was the inspired podcast by Simon Gibo, which is fabulous. Uh, if you've not already listened to that. Amazing. Um, one of his things is that there's so much bad news in the world.
Let's have some good news. So it's all about. Um, what God's doing through different [00:31:00] people, and sometimes they are really tricky situations. Um, but the one I was list, um, talking about now, and I can't remember the woman's name, but she was talking about how her and her husband and her, her kids moved to. A really rough area and they'd been involved with the people in this area and the school and they were trying to make changes 'cause the school was failing.
And, um, nothing were like, people just weren't listening and then they moved their kids into the school because they felt that God told them to do. So that's not always the sensible thing to do, is it, to move your kids into a failing school. But because God specifically. Told them, um, that's what they did.
And they said that just suddenly opened up all the situations and the relationships suddenly started to form because they'd become one of the people rather than like an outsider. And I think there's. There's something about the Christian story in that where God [00:32:00] himself comes down and becomes one of us.
Like he knows what it's like to live in a human body and face the things that we face. And I just find that quite incredible.
Claire Glare: It's amazing. I've been listening to, um, I try and do Lectio 3 6, 5 and not. Every day, but I try. Yeah. And, um, which is another kind of app, um, that helps you in your devotional life.
And, um, they've been talking about an old, an old poet John Dunn, who I remember from like English GCSE days and he, one of his poems called Nativity and he talks about, um. Like that Jesus coming to the earth in a human body as a baby was like cloistered, you know, that's the word that he used. So he literally limits himself within like the confines of a, of a human womb, which is like ridiculous, isn't it?
You know? It's not, I, I guess if I was to, you know, [00:33:00] kind of want to state my, oh, here I am, you know, look at me, um, as, as God, that isn't how I would do it. But he, his. Uh, God's approach is so humble, isn't it? And so, you know, just is mind blowing.
Sharon Edmundson: Yeah. We talked a couple of weeks ago as well about the difference in, um, leadership and kind of the power dynamic of with God, because obviously God himself is the most powerful being that there is, and yet so humble that.
Um, when he came as Jesus, he, he washed people's feet, which was a servant's job. And, um, just contrasting the way that the world does power with the way that God does power. Um, and yeah, just using it for the good of others. Incredible. Um, I've noticed Matt's put, um, um, in the comments, oh, where's it gone? Um.
Talking about the guy that I just mentioned [00:34:00] who did the podcast, Simon Gibo, he's actually been on the Crowd, um, podcast as well, which is called What's the Story? So if you wanna hear his story, that's also fabulous. Uh, he's a great guy. Yeah. You look like you're about to say something, Claire.
Claire Glare: Um, the, the songs and, and Dan was talking about different songs in Mary's song in particular, and I was just reminded I'm a bit of a U2 fan and I think, I think, forgive me if I'm wrong, feel free to write it in the notes or in, in the, in the comments, but.
I think you two did a version of the Magnifica, and I think it's called Magnificent. I think that is Mary's song, but as a U2 song. So I present that to you as a new Christmas song.
Sharon Edmundson: I'll
Claire Glare: be looking that one. I'm gonna go and I'm gonna go and and check it out myself again. But, but it's, you know, I think you're right.
That's the first Christmas Carol.
Dan Orange: Yeah. Yeah. I, I love that she didn't just get that revelation. [00:35:00] She'd. She did, and then had that joy and that joy came out in a song. It's great, isn't it? Yeah.
Sharon Edmundson: Another thing that I love about the Christian faith, which I possibly might have said before, is just the richness in that you've got.
Um, we've got songs and poetry and prophecy, but also history. You've got planning alongside the more spontaneous, um, you've got the geography and the history. It's just like, yeah. So rich in many ways. Yeah. Um. You were talking about words of carols. Um, Dan mentioned, uh, many different verses from the Bible and I've written one.
I couldn't stop. No, it is great. It's great to have Bible in church, isn't it? Um, and I've written down one of them because every time I hear this I kind of get shivers. Just, I just love the words and it's the. Uh, Isaiah nine and I think verse seven that I've written down where it's talking [00:36:00] about Jesus and it's looking ahead to when he is born.
So I'll just read these again. So it's calling him wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace, and of the greatness of his government and peace. There will be no end. They're just such gorgeous words. Um, and very powerful words. Um,
Claire Glare: yeah. And just what an outstanding example of leadership like God is.
You know, like if, I think, if you think of any sort of leader, you know, yeah, tho that's a good way to model yourself, um, uh, on those characteristics, isn't it? Yeah,
Sharon Edmundson: definitely. Um, Dan, we've kind of kept you out in the cold a little bit. Have you got anything else to add?
Dan Orange: Um, no. I think that those songs, isn't it great that we can hear those words and sometimes even the songs we sing in church don't have as much truth to [00:37:00] those ones that are getting blasted out.
And I just say to people, you know, have a listen to them when you're, when you're just out and about to yet and nativity or in the shops and it, it's hearing, just listen to those words of, of truth and transformation that, like we've been saying, this, God came. Humbly and vulnerable. For us. Yeah.
Claire Glare: Randomly, I actually heard somebody singing Give Me Oil in my Lamp, keep Me Burning, which is a brilliant song.
And while she was making coffee in a coffee shop the other day and I just complimented her afterwards, I just said, was it you who was singing? And, and she was like, and everyone was like, yeah, it was all her colleagues were like, yeah, yeah. She sings all the time. And I was like, that's beautiful. You know, and I dunno whether she was a Christian or, you know, but it, it was.
It, you know, and I think actually as we, we can go around and we can sing these carols, can't we? You know, in public and, you know, [00:38:00] proudly and, and, and kind of, I don't know, I dunno about you get away with it, you know, like at Christmas time and, oh yes, you know what, and, and I think we should do that. I, you know, I'm going to, I'm going to do that this week.
Mm-hmm.
Sharon Edmundson: Okay. I'm going to go back to the question that I asked in the comments and ask you two. Um, I know the answer for this, for Dan, at least the first part of it. Do you like Christmas obvious? He does, and I've got purpose proof. Yeah. What things do you like and what things don't you like this time of year?
Dan Orange: Um, I love the time off work 'cause it is one of those times when most people are off, aren't they? So, because. I run my own business so people don't tend to call me on Christmas day, which is nice. Um, but then love the family time. Yeah. Just being able to chill and, and perhaps see family that you don't see throughout the year as well.
Yeah.
Claire Glare: What about you, Claire? [00:39:00] Um, I think, yeah, I'm gonna answer the negative first. Um, I don't like the craziness and the busyness, and actually one of the, um, I, I'm not a big candle person, you know? Actually, I, I do love an advent candle. Uh, like it's probably the only time of the year when I try and light a candle and somehow something about that just helps me slow down a little bit.
Um, and, um, yeah, so I think, and I, but yeah. I, I've, I think I'm getting better at buying gifts for people and, and thinking, oh, that'll be really good for that person. And I wouldn't say that that's naturally me, but I'm, I've been enjoying that this year. Um, and, um, but I do love. Being with lots of people in the run up to Christmas and, and on Christmas day.
And so [00:40:00] I'm really glad that my mom and her partner are coming to us for Christmas day this year. 'cause it's not always like that.
Sharon Edmundson: So I generally like Christmas, I think, um, I like a little traditions. So the first Saturday of December, a whole stack of us who's ever around, walk down to, uh, a nearby Christmas tree shop and choose a tree.
And we walk back and have lunch together and decorate the house. So I love that and I love all the lights that are around because I think December, especially in the UK, is a bit dark and dreary, so to have all the lovely lights. Um, and I do love the, like the carols like you've talked about. And I think that there's just something about hearing all these.
These scriptures that generally just come out at Christmas time, like the ones that I've read that there's just this sense of awe and wonder, I think, and just that. Oh wow. Yeah. Um, I guess things I don't like, similar to you, Claire, the [00:41:00] busyness and like it can get, I think it can be a frantic time when actually.
For those of us who have faith and when it could be a time to slow down and think more about God and his gift to us, that sometimes that can get lost in all the preparation. So any, anything that you guys do that just. Helps to focus you on Jesus and to not get into that kind of hamster wheel of just doing stuff.
Any top tips, anything that helps you?
Claire Glare: I'm just really excited this year because we've got like a, a, a woolen nativity scene and I was so pla proud. Not proud. Please, delighted that. It's, it's actually like really high up now. It used, it used to be, um, underneath our Christmas tree, and the cats would attack it and the kids would kick it.
And, um, but actually now it's high up on a shelf. And I deliberately put Jesus right in the center [00:42:00] and I was like, Jesus, be the center. And so I, I think it's like. It's trying to do those things like just pray and, you know, read the Bible for me, light my little candle and, um, and try and take those opportunities, um, you know.
Daily throughout the day to just go, Jesus, be the center. I think that's, yeah. What about you, Deb?
Dan Orange: Yeah, I think, yeah, very similar. Just take those little times just to, yeah. This is, this is fun. It is fun to be able to give presents if we can and give gifts. But, and you know, there's obviously, people are always trying to say, well, the real Christmas wasn't this, it's some, but this is what we celebrate, isn't it?
On this date? We celebrate the, the king come in and just, uh, focus, focus on that. And we, as a family, on Christmas morning, we always, and the kids get into bed with us and we'll [00:43:00] either like read the Christmas story or, um. Watch the little, there's a little video, the storybook Bible where David Touche, who's Poirot reads it out.
It's really good. So we'll do that in the morning
Sharon Edmundson: for me. I think during this time of year or December in particular, um, because we don't do Christmas until December. Is to have a playlist of Christmas carol's or Christmas songs that do have that spiritual element to them. Uh, 'cause who's put in the, someone's put in the comments.
Lunar, um, said we don't hear enough carols. Lots of Christmas songs, but not so many Carols played. And I think, yeah, in shops and stuff, that is the case, isn't it? So at home I do like to have my playlist that is just, helps me think more heavenly, more towards Jesus. And that's. That's a big help for me. Um, and also we used to have this calendar.
I couldn't find it this year that somebody made, and it's got 24 cards, and on each card there's [00:44:00] one of the names of Jesus and then a scripture on the back. So each day you, you put the new card up. I need to get another. Uh, another set of this is tb. It was, yes. It, someone from our church made it and it is like, it was beautiful, but I've, I've got one card left.
So I think we've got Prince of Peace for the whole of December this year. Unless I get a news set, I'll try and I'll try and WhatsApp them. Yeah. Thank you. Cool.
Dan Orange: Sorry, I'll just been listening to came across it today, so perhaps you know, some of the choir that's not your kind of music, but I was listening to Skillet.
Emmanuel. So it's like really sort of heavy, heavy rock. And they sing E Emmanuel and it's, it's brilliant. Really love it. There's stuff out there, no matter your music tastes.
Sharon Edmundson: Yeah. Cool. Have either of you got anything else that you'd like to add?
Claire Glare: Happy
Sharon Edmundson: Christmas
Claire Glare: a bit early. Yeah.
Sharon Edmundson: Yeah. I think, [00:45:00] um, it is quite early for us to finish, but I actually haven't got any more points, so I don't wanna drag it on unnecessarily.
Um, but yeah, just to, I think for all of us, for whether you have a faith already, let's let this be a time where we can just soak in the word of God and just remember, um. Jesus coming, God coming in human form as a helpless baby, but for a purpose, a planned purpose from long ago. And if you're not someone of faith, maybe this is a great time to, um, dig into those carols.
Like go to a, a Christmas service. Listen to the words of the carols, just. Ask God and say, look, God, if you are there, show yourself to me. Reveal yourself. Um, yeah, and uh, uh, I think, yeah, I think we will finish that for today. Uh, next week we've got aid continuing in our series on Christmas, talking about the donkey.
That's all I've been told. E [00:46:00] all I I'm hoping that that is correct information. I'm intrigued to see what he's gonna say about that, so that'll be great. Um, otherwise if you'd like to join us now on Google meets, I think the information should come up on the screen. Uh, it's just for like five or 10 minutes just to connect.
Uh, if you want to join us, but don't wanna stick your camera on, that's fine. It would just be great to have you along. So I'm gonna finish it there and hope to see you soon. [00:47:00] Goodbye.
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