Happy Christmas everybody!

We hope you are having a fantastic day and are enjoying all the festivities. The arrival of Christmas Day unfortunately means the end of the Advent Blog, so this is the last hurrah for us... it's been a lot of fun and we hope you've enjoyed reading our daily thoughts, jokes and challenges.

Defined begins again in January (Thursday 6th if you're involved in the cafe or 15-18s group, Friday 7th if you're 11-15 and Sunday 9th if you come to the morning gathering!), so until then, we'd like to leave you with the greatest story ever told. Have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to sharing 2011 with you lovely people!

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2 v.1-20)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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 Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

It's Christmas eve! Today, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, it seems fitting to spend a few moments worshipping the One who makes all things possible. To do this, have a read of the verses below. This passage, found in chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke, is known as 'Mary's Song'.

It reads as an incredible and prophetic outbursting of praise after Mary becomes pregnant. Remember- this woman, chosen by God for this most sacrificial and wonderful of tasks, was most likely a teenage girl. She was facing the prospect of losing everything- all her credibility, her family's reputation, her future with her husband- for the higher calling that God had set before her.

Let's spend some time today remembering that we too are called to something bigger, something better, something beyond the here and now and superficiality of it all. And may our souls glorify Jesus this Christmas!

Mary’s Song

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."

For your enjoyment today, a pretty marvellous joke...

Why did Santa's little helper become a nurse?

Because he wanted to be in the National Elf Service!

Oh, and while you're still chuckling at that corker, check out this website- it's amazing!!!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/

Now the countdown is really on! For those of you who come along to St Toms on a Sunday, you'll recognise the following track. We think it is awesome and we would love you to listen and feel very peaceful and Christmassy!

And remember, tomorrow is Christmas eve eve!!!

We pray you feel really loved and blessed by your friends and families this Christmas, and we hope you manage to love them even when they (or you...) are being an idiot!

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres' (1 Corinthians 13 v.4-6)

How many of us can measure up with that?! Just as soon as you feel like you're managing maybe even two of them, you'd probably start feeling arrogant or proud or self-seeking about it, and then you're back to the beginning all over again! Arrgh!

The truth is, we will always be learning how to love. We'll always be trying to understand other people, trying to figure out how to consider others more than ourselves, how to not bear grudges and always believe in the best in others.

You might be someone who finds it really easy to trust others, but struggles to protect others. You might like telling people the truth about what you think of them- but you might do that in a way that dishonours them. You might not get angry straight away when someone does something hurtful, but maybe you hold grudges like nobody else can!

Someone once taught me an awesome technique in the art of getting to know God's character. Read over that passage again (try to read the whole chapter if you've got a Bible) and put your name in place of the word 'love' every time it crops up. Pretty challenging stuff, right? Now try putting Jesus' name there instead. Read it aloud. Think about the sentences as you read them.

This is the God we worship. This is our Prince of Peace, who comes to put all things right and make us whole this Christmas time. Enjoy worshipping Him today!

This son is far away. Unlovely and undeserving of love. Yet, one day he remembers his father's house. Forced to live in a pig sty by now, he remembers the food his father's servants have to eat and decides to try and be reconciled to his father, hoping he too can work as a servant. He sets off home.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'

But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to celebrate.

The father acts out of love. God acts out of love.

The fourth candle we light in advent is the love candle. It reminds us that the whole story of God's creation, from beginning to end, is a story of love.

God created from the place of love.

God came to the world because of love.

He died. Love.

He rose again, he will come again. Love wins.

God's involvement with us in the world is a story of his love for us. If it was ever about anything else - particulalry about being good - it would never have worked.

This story is about God being good. About God acting out of love. As Yancey says, 

Ask people what they must do to get to heaven and most reply, "Be Good." Jesus' stories contradict that answer. All we must do is cry, "Help!" God welcomes home anyone who will have him and, in fact, has made the first move already. Most experts - doctors, lawyers, marriage counselors - set a high value on themselves and wait for clients to come to them. Not God. 

God has made the first move. Christmas tells that story. God took on flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. When we were far away, he ran towards us.

This the story of Christmas. Love.

Grace and peace and love this advent time.

Rich

Read Luke 15:11-32 and imagine that you are each of the chaters in Jesus' story. How does it feel to be the son? What must the father be feeling when his son leaves? when his son returns? What does this tell you about God's view of you?  Remember this Christmas that the whole story is about God's love for the world.

Here is a game that Bill found..click on the link for the amazing Snowball Duel. We hope it brings you lots of joy this chilly weekend!

Snowball Duel

Don't forget to check the blog tomorrow, it's the start of the last week of Advent which can mean only one thing... ITS NEARLY CHRISTMAS!!!

This is a picture drawn by the well known Defined-legend Cheng of some of the carol singing group in Starbucks on Dec 4th. We did it to raise money for the Children's Hospital, and to tell the world how great we think the birth of Jesus is!

The coffee shop was crammed and people were even singing along with the amazing medley of festive tunes... what a great way to spread joy.

In fact, it's SUCH a great way to bring Christmassy joy that we're going to do it all over again, this time at the Children's Hospital on Tuesday! Come along and join in from 4pm, or if your voice isn't so great, just mime. It is sure to be a lot of fun, so get your Santa hats at the ready!

Richie Wells posted this on facebook and we thought it was very joyous...