Grace and Peace from God our Father, Jesus Christ our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit our Comforter be with you all.
Amen

Sermon text: Romans 15:4-13(NIV)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews! On behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,      
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
And sing praises to him, all you peoples.”
And again Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
One who will arise to rule over the nations;
the gentiles will hope in him.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Congregation

We are in the time of Christmas and it is during this time where everybody looks forward to a well earned break from all the hard work that has been done during the year. It is also a time however where people feel a sense of emptiness and loneliness especially when they lost a love one or something terrible has happened to them during the last year. Therefore, hearing Christmas music and seeing the decorations in the shops doesn’t help very little since they are reminded of the fact that it is time to buy gifts for love ones which will give a warm feeling in the hearts of friends and family members. It is a time of rushing to get everything done, before the family gets together to rejoice and find comfort in one another, while going on vacation. With all the rushing which happens, one find that there isn’t really time to sit and think over the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, it is a time where we do not hear the call from the deserts of our lives as it becomes louder and louder. This call that I am referring to is of someone who calls from the desert that we must make a way for the Lord, a way through an empty and barren landscape. (Isaiah 40:3).

A desert experience is an experience which is barren and desolated and is at times referred to as time in our lives where we experience emptiness or a time which seems as if noting particular or special is happening. It’s a time when we seek something that will once again bring excitement, especially the need to find an oasis, where one could find the nourishment and companionship of other people who is embarking on the some journey than yours and who understands the hardships of travelling in the desert.

In reaching this oasis, one soon become discouraged by what one is experiencing there, since the activities there is so overwhelming that one do not have the time to see the small things which is happening at such a place. One is so busy to prepare yourself for the next part of your journey that you do not even realise the laughing and playing which occurs around you. Yes, we are so busy that the gift (the wonder) of the oasis isn’t even recognised. The gift of a small place in the middle of a barren world where noting is supposed to grow or even to exist.

Thus it is in this bee haven of activities where Paul wants to meet us this morning, by reminding us anew of the gift of all gifts that we all have received. At the same time however he wants to ask us if we really have noticed the enormity of this gift that is meant for all of humanity. A gift that changes lives and which brings life, a promise from God which he gave to all his children which is being fulfilled. The gift that God accepts us with all of our short-comings, yes he has given us even more than what we have expected. A gift which connects people from all over the world, since it is a gift meant for everyone. One gift with billions of names on it.

This gift is Jesus Christ the son of God who came into this world, not with trumpet sound, but who came into this world quietly and borne in a manger, to fulfil the promises of God and by doing bringing the gospel to fulfilment about what was said about this child. Giving flesh to God’s Word through Christ Jesus. In our sermon text this morning, Paul refers to his understanding of the time of Advent; therefore we can understand and interpret this text as Paul’s advent. For Paul the meaning of Advent is a time where a promise made by God will come into fulfilment. When this fulfilment has occurred it means that nations will sing psalms to glorify God, since they have hope again because of the realisation of something that was prophesized decades ago have now become a reality. This he shows by referring to how people will react, when Jesus will appear in this world. He makes the Roman church aware of the fact that they will once again serve God with new enthusiasm and courage when he will stand among them, despite the persecution that they are experiencing. Yes, the coming of the Christ child wills the world know that God has heard their cry for a Savoir and thus God took the first step which will enable their Salvation.

Dear Congregation

What is your understanding of this gift? To illustrate this gift I have brought a gift and in looking at this package, I find no name written on it, therefore I do not know to whom this gift belongs. I also do not know what is in this gift figuratively and thus it only looks like a package with no meaning. I shake the package, I look at it, smell it, thus trying everything possible to unwrap this gift without opening the wrapping paper, so what is the use of it? It’s got no use and will only be packed away for gathering dust. It’s only when unwrapping this gift and using it that it will bring joy and fulfilment. God’s gift for us this Christmas is a fulfilled promise which we find in a book forms namely the bible, but he gives us more. He also gives us His Spirit who helps us to interpret his Word which allows us to experience the full joy of this gift. It is however up to us whether this gift of His word will have meaning to our lives or whether it will become a gift which is temporal to be placed in a cupboard never to be used again. How useful this gift depends on how many times you are going to use it therefore the question remains with you whether it’s only going to be something that will bring you temporal joy as it happens when you received something new which is then later packed away in a cupboard. Or will it be something that will not only enrich your life, but also the lives of the people around you? During this week you will receive your answer as you receive your gift, knowing that God’s ultimate gift, the gift of life has enabled this for you. My hope and prayer for you is that you may experience the gift of the Christ child with a permanent thought that God has so much value in you, because of His acceptance and love and therefore know that he has given you His everything this Christmas.

I want to conclude this sermon with a blessing from Paul himself to you this morning and hope that this may become true to you as well over the Christmas period:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)

Amen