CHR ISTM AS LE ADE RS P AC K 2 02 0
evangelical alliance together making Jesus known
WELCOME MESSAGE GAVIN CALVER
Dear friends, I hope that you are doing well in this incredibly challenging season. What a year 2020 has been. Christmas is approaching quickly, and we at the Evangelical Alliance wanted to do all we could to help mark this important moment in the year. Christmas 2020 will be different but, just like every other year, it is still an amazing opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world. I hope and pray that this Christmas, the evangelical church throughout the UK will be a great testimony to the hope we have in Jesus
Within this pack you will find a short meditation by Fred Drummond, a prophetic piece by Sian Rees, 12 carol service alternatives by Eve Paterson and a pray by Titilola Ossai. I hope that these resources will be a great assistance and encouragement to you. You will also find a sermon outline from Phil Knox. He is a wonderful evangelist and I would encourage you to use this outline wherever possible.
this year has been, whatever concerns or expectations you have heading into 2021, the darkness cannot overpower the light.
The main focus for us this year is John 1:4-5: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Whatever you are currently facing, however challenging
Let me be one of the first people this year to wish you a very happy Christmas.
This Christmas season let’s hold on to that truth, be hopeful, and trust the Lord for the days and months ahead. After all, one of the key messages of Christmas is that He is Immanuel, God with us. May He be close to you this year.
Every blessing, Gavin Calver, CEO
Devotional By Fred Drummond, director of prayer
RE AD LU KE 2: 1-15 SAVI OUR I N E VER Y SEASON
Reect
Jesus was not born in splendour. He did not have a private room. There was no big palace.
We follow one who understands anxiety, fear and all the marks of our human condition.
He was born into the mess of humanity. He was born in an area that was not His own due to war and oppression.
That is why we can be sure this Christmas that Jesus understands all we are going through, and He doesn’t social distance from us. He draws near in grace and tender love. Rekindling hope. Repairing wounds.
He was placed in an animal feeding trough. He was born into violence and confusion, fear and mess. We do not follow an anti-bacterial saviour.
In every season and every circumstance Jesus is the hope of the world.
React
PR AYER
Lord Jesus, light of the world, grant us wisdom, that we may act like wise men and make our way to you. Grant us joyful hearts, that like heavenly choirs we may sing your praises. Grant us time, that like the shepherds we may see the breakthrough of heaven in our lives. May we like wise men, angels and shepherd worship you, bringing all we are in adoration.
Christmas sermon outline 2020: Light in the darkness By Phil Knox, head of mission to young adults
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INTRODUCTION In the introduction, we will be framing the need for light in the darkness. Where possible, you should think about your audience and try to identify and make connections with as many of them and their experiences this year. Christmas 2020 is a Christmas like no other. Tell a story about a time when you have not known what is going on. For all of us, this year has been bewildering and uncertain. For many of us it has felt like certain things that we used to know have been taken away and we have been left yearning for a way of life that no longer exists. This year, many of us will have lost loved ones, lost jobs and had our way of life dramatically affected. This Christmas we are probably not sat around the
table with those who we would normally be expecting.
more than the national annual consumption of several countries including El Salvador and Tanzania.
Many people will have sat down 51 weeks ago and thought about The Christmas story is dripping a 20:20 vision. Whatever those hopes, dreams and expectations with light imagery. were for the year, the likelihood “The people is that they have not been walking in darkness realised. .
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JESUS – LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
The purpose of this section is to proclaim that the beautiful message of Christmas is that hope has come.We will draw on a couple of Bible passages and describe the difference the Christmas story makes. Light is synonymous with the Christmas story. In the UK, just powering Christmas lights costs £3.75m per day. In the US, the electricity usage, again just for lights, is
have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 When you turn on a light in a dark room, when landing lights burst into life, when you turn on the headlights while driving on a dark road, when the floodlights illuminate a stadium, when fireworks explode across the sky, when a candle lights a small space, everything changes.
Tell a story about a time when you were lost, in darkness, and a light came on and changed things.
When Jesus was born, the whole world changed. It was such a dramatic and positive change – it was like light exploding into darkness. His birth changed the course of human history. And today, whatever our situation, whatever the darkness we find ourselves in, as individuals and as a world, the beautiful and scandalous message of Christmas is that there is light in the darkness. Hope has come.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” C. S. Lewis “Darkness is my point of view; light is God’s point of view.” Oswald Chambers
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LET THE LIGHT IN
This section contains the challenge and the
gospel push to receive the light for ourselves. We will explore two characteristics of light and how these directly relate to the birth names of Jesus as saviour and Immanuel. So, what is Jesus’ gift to us this Christmas and how do we receive it? Firstly, the present is His presence. One of the important characteristics of light is that it comforts. Children know the comforting glow of a night light. At the first Christmas we read that the baby will be known as Immanuel: God is with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the light. He is with us, and today billions of people across the world are finding that His presence is helping them through the darkness. Secondly, light brings life. Few things can grow to their potential in the darkness. Jesus means saviour (Matthew 1:21). He meets
our greatest need and saves us from our sin, shame and brokenness. Light doesn’t just comfort, it confronts, exposes, and brings life. At Christmas we remember His presence, but we must look forward, from the cradle to the cross.
“Christmas is important, but Easter is decisive.” Arsène Wenger
Play Instead of you – Christmas spoken word: eauk.it/instead-of-you
Gifts must be accepted from the giver. The question for all of us Christmas is, will we accept the present of God’s presence? Will we open our hearts to the comfort and light that He brings?
Will we turn away from darkness and allow Jesus, the light of the world, to be our hope and life?
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LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE This final section will challenge us not only to receive the light this Christmas but to use our light to make the world brighter. Jesus makes two astonishing claims about light. The first is concerning Himself: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). The second goes further and concerns us, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The creator of light itself entrusts us to bring out the God colours in the world and bring hope to a despairing world. The church already provides
£10bn of social welfare value a year to the UK and almost all churches have been reaching out to help the vulnerable in this season.
Lord, this Christmas we acknowledge the dark world in which we live.
The greatest invitation you will receive this Christmas is not to a turkey dinner or an online party; it is to join with the God of the universe and the church to bring hope to the hopeless, life to the dying and light in the darkness.
Thank you that your arrival as a baby meant that hope had come and is with us today.
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CONCLUSION
We are so desperate for hope.
This Christmas we open our hearts to receive your presence with us, the light of comfort alongside us today. We turn away from the darkness in our lives and towards you, the light of the world.
Conclude by asking people to take a moment of stillness in the Thank you that your death and relentless business of Christmas. resurrection mean the darkness is defeated and we can know Encourage reflection on the light and life today and forever. message and to focus on the image of light in the darkness. Thank you that we get to join in Lead those listening in the with bringing hope to the following prayer. hopeless at this time. Help us to be the light in the world that you invite us to be. Amen.
12 alternatives for a carol service:
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A very missional Christmas By Eve Paterson. Great Commission lead
While we’re unable to gather for carol services this Christmas as we have done in years gone by, it certainly doesn’t mean that Christmas is cancelled or the message of Jesus entering into our world is any less relevant. It just means we have to get a little bit more creative…! We’ve put together some ideas that we hope will spark your imagination as we safely and enthusiastically make Jesus known this Christmas. Alongside some ideas, Danny Webster, head of public policy, has included tips to ensure you and your community stay safe, but please make sure you check current guidance from the government as well.
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DRIVE IN CAROLS Our favourite quirky idea is to host a carol service in a local car park. Some supermarkets have even offered their car parks, so check out where might be available locally for you to host an event, sing as households in cars, and perhaps hand out some mince pies!
STARS IN THE WINDOWS We’ve all seen the rainbows in windows to support the NHS, but what about a Christmas version? The star in the Christmas story was a symbol that pointed to Jesus, so let’s create beautiful stars to adorn our windows, pointing to Jesus, the coming King.
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CHRISTINGLES ON THE HIGH STREET Your church could put together packs to make a Christingle, then distribute them with an invitation to an online service. Handing these out on the high street, through your local school, or passing them on to neighbours could ensure children and families still learn about the Christmas story.
Danny says: Think through the logistics of how you’ll hand out packs in a way that minimises social contact. Put packs together ahead of time and place them on a table to limit contact. If you want to hand them out in the high street you’ll probably need permission from the local authorities too.
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WATCHNIGHT PRAYER CHAIN Many churches host an all-night or midnight prayer service, but instead of a large in-person gathering you could try a prayer chain: one household goes to another household to pray for half an hour, then that household moves on to the next household, and so on. This way, our communities are safely praying together over the whole night.
NEIGHBOURHOOD NATIVITY We all know of those houses that go all out with their Christmas lights, so similarly, could members of your church volunteer for their front garden to be part of a neighbourhood nativity tour? Each home commits to displaying an aspect of the Christmas story and you could share a map on social media so people can tour around the neighbourhood nativity.
VIRTUAL BRINGAND-SHARE MEAL How about asking your neighbours if there are any foods that are typical of their Christmas, then swapping something from their culture with yours? Whether it’s a family recipe, a traditional dish, or a certain food you always have at Christmas, swapping traditions means we learn about how other cultures celebrate and start conversations about what Christmas means to us, even if we can’t eat together.
Danny says: Depending on where in the UK you are and what level of restrictions are in place, it may not be possible to have your neighbours inside your house. If you can meet outside maybe a glass of mulled wine will keep you warm!
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INVITE YOUR NEIGHBOURS ROUND This is something we could actually do every Christmas, but it feels particularly important this year to invite our neighbours round for mulled wine and mince pies. It’s a great opportunity to share what Christmas means to us.
STREET SING-A-LONG Similar to the weekly clap for carers, could you spread the word for your street to do a carol sing-a-long together outside? It’s a great way to connect with neighbours, and to celebrate Jesus’ birth!
CAROLLING FOR THE COMMUNITY Could a small group from your church go around local care homes – and maybe also hospitals, fire stations, etc. – offering some socially-distanced singing from outside? It might be a bit chillier than usual, but it will certainly warm the hearts of all those who can’t be home with their families!
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MESSAGE A MINCE PIE University Christian Unions often run an event called ‘Text-a-Toastie’, where people text a question about faith, and an answer is then delivered with a toastie. This could be fun for your church to try, putting a safe number on social media so people can text a question about Christianity and you’ll deliver an answer along with a mince pie. It’s a great way to bless your community, and for your community to get to know you and what you believe!
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9-LESSON JOURNEY AROUND THE CHURCH For many churches, the nine lessons and carols service is a highlight of the year, with crowds flooding in to hear those familiar passages and beloved carols. While we can’t hold a large service, you could set up stations around the building that visually tell parts of the Christmas story using typical Bible passages, which households could journey around.
Danny says: In parts of the UK with enhanced restrictions people will only be able to take part in any physical events with their household groups. By creating a one-way journey around the church, you can guide people through the story in a COVID-secure way.
INVITE THE WHOLE TOWN Online platforms actually allow far more people to join our Christmas services than could logistically fit into our buildings. If you’re offering an online service on Christmas day then hand out fliers, post leaflets around neighbourhoods, use social media to spread the word – let’s make sure no one misses the opportunity to meet Jesus this Christmas.
Ultimately, you know the needs of your community better than anyone else, so stay alert to where the need is and stay sensitive to where God may be using you to help. These ideas are just a springboard for you and your church to use, but I
hope they give you a sense of just how much it’s still possible to share the love of Jesus this Christmas. It might not look like previous years, but that might just be a good thing – God is doing something new through His church this Christmas.
A weary world rejoices By Siân Rees, director of Wales
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he fairy lights twinkle, the carols fill the airwaves, the bank balance groans under the weight of our Christmas shopping. It all seems so familiar and yet, somehow, everything is different this year. Surely even the most ardent fans of all things ‘Christmassy’ have been left wondering if this year’s celebrations might be a little less “joy to the world” and a little more “in the bleak midwinter?” The truth is, turkeys, lights, Christmas movies, chocolates, and presents could never replicate the joy of knowing that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. They were never meant to. A Christcentred Christmas offers so many better reasons to celebrate. The question is, how on earth does a weary world rejoice amidst a global pandemic, loss, suffering, economic hardship, and uncertainty? 2020 has been a dark and challenging year for many. How shocking then that the answer to the darkness of this world should come in the form of a baby born in
a cattle shed. This child was “born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth”. He is the one whose Father has “rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves”. (Colossians 1:13) The truth of this one verse should be enough to spark a celebration! 1 Chronicles 12:32 talks of the tribe of Issachar being “able to understand the signs of the times and know what the people of God should do”. As we move into a new year, this begs the question, how good are we at doing the same? This season requires more than simply the wisdom of man; we need the mind of Christ. As Paul says in Ephesians 5, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… and find out what pleases the Lord.” In a society pervaded by failed secularist ideologies, a return to biblical, kingdom ways of ‘doing life’ offers a future that is
more equal, less prejudicial, more just, and seeks the welfare of all. Psalm 119:105 declares that God’s word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” in that it illuminates what is ahead of us both in the short and long term. What better time than now for God’s people, literate in the Word of God, to be at the forefront of the societal transformation that God desires across our nations. Jesus’ church has all the infrastructures and structures in place to be at the forefront of rebuilding lives and communities as we navigate this pandemic. We have the human resources, the heart to love and the heart to serve, we have relational networks that governments can only dream of, and we know how to care for the isolated, the vulnerable, and the broken. As we continue to prepare for Christmas and ultimately the second coming of Christ, let’s rejoice and thank God for the gift of a saviour, the joy of belonging to Him, and the privilege of making Him known to others.
Light in the darkness By Titilola Ossai, One People Commission co-ordinator “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5 You, Lord, created light out of complete darkness; you brought light into the world. Hallelujah! You are the light of God, and you bring me hope each day. Thank you, Lord! Help me to shine forth your light in my world each day, that I may bring hope to my world in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! Lord, throughout this season and as I celebrate your birth at Christmas, may I be constantly reminded of the power that comes through knowing you are the light of the world and the hope of our world today and forever more. Hallelujah! As nations combat various challenges, may your light shine through darkness; may darkness be lifted in Jesus’ name. Amen! “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
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evangelical alliance together making Jesus known