Vicars Letter - 15 December 2023

Kia ora All Saints,

10 days to go till Christmas!
This means that this week we have our last e-news for the year! 
What a year it has been - what have been your highlights? What has God done amongst us as a people?

This week Rebekah is going to take us through the Virgin Birth story. It is a story of wonder, an amazing miracle, faith and willingness to say yes. In fact, in this story, we probably see the most amazing step of faith. Imagine being told at 14 or 15 that you were going to have a baby. Not something the 14 and 15 year olds I know want to hear. But she doesn't hesitate but is more inquisitive. "How can this be?" and then when it is explained she just says: "“I am the Lord’s servant... May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

If only I was that willing to say God, when you call me to do something like share a word with someone, make a fool of myself for you or to lead a parish. That I would just respond with "Sure, may it be so!"

Not only that but that news would have counted against her. To be pregnant, when she is meant to be a Virgin is a shameful experience for a first century Jewish woman. She still didn't hesitate to say yes to God, even when it hurt.

As we move towards Christmas and the rush starts and the work deadlines pile up because it must be done before Christmas! May we take a moment to remember and point to this wonderful step of faith. When it counted most she stood up and said I am willing to serve God. May we too be willing to put our first foot forward, be first to say yes God, use me - maye we do it even more when its is going to count against us!

Maybe to remember this week you may want to attend one of the two carols services we have on this week:
 - Carols at 3pm on Lyall Bay Beach
 - Nine Lessons and Carols at 7pm at All Saints

May you be blessed this Christmas - by the joy, love, peace and hope of Jesus.
May we remember him and look forward to his next coming.

Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their savior is born.
Let the captives rejoice, for their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice, for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice, for their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born.
—St. Augustine of Hippo

May we hold to this story until next year!
Merry Christmas - enjoy celebrating Christ!
Andrew Spence