Advent Twenty Four - Christ for All Nations

 24) Palestine

Aerial view of Gaza (Guardian News)

20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. 21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.

22 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of the finest flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl. 24 For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides. 1Kings 4 

Christmas Eve, and we're not ready.  

We've just arrived, but don't know where we are.  

Born into a confused and troubled world, Christ is born in Palestine.

The verses of 1 Kings speak of a happier time.  From the river to the sea is a shared message.  A colleague of mine came into work with a bag with this slogan on it.  What do I do as her bose?  She tells me it was given to her by a Palestinian academic in London.  

A tiny baby arrives into the troubles of Palestine.  The troubles of our lives.  From the river to the sea, has significance is for all.  We are all covered by his love; there is no boundary. 

He has come to say

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],

As Jesus challenged the followers of John the Baptists, do we see this now amongst us?

PRAYER:  We fall down on our knees before you this day and acknowledge you as as our Lord and saviour.