Well, today was communion at church, and it is also Christmas Box Sunday. The Pro photographer and her daughter got a box made, and covered with Christmas paper, with a list of good food and things for people who are alone and poor, and they got it to church. It made for an interesting time with the children, as the boxes took up part of the stage.

The talk was on the names we are given, looking at Luke, and Zechariah naming his son John as he was commanded. That names have meaning, and unlike most children of that time (or in NZ now) neither John nor Jesus were named after their fathers or grandfathers: neither names were family names. We then had advent communion.

After this, we and had brunch, where there were various Christmas decorations. The shops and press are full of the Christmas promotions. There are significant inducement to spend.

It is also the time for parties and celebrations. In New Zealand, it is the end of the academic year: I have been to one work Christmas party, have another two or three I should go to, and last night we went to one of the parties that friends host at this time of the year, and I will be hosting one myself this week. In the Antipodes, this s a time when we meet, knowing at Christmas many people will be away from their work and starting their summer holidays.

And there is nothing wrong with this. Despite the passage in Amos about the leaders of Israel celebrating: they are damned not for that but for being corrupt, and considering their pleasures more than the people of God. This warning is reflected in the other passage for today, which is generally not preached on.

We are celebrating. We do not want to be reminded that in this there are consequences.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 ESV)

There will be justice. Indeed, there will be justice. And it will be terrible.

This makes me pray fo those who are fallen into error: those whoa re either secular or religious in their worship of evil: hellfire awaits them. The kingdom of God exists. It is not of this world: it is a roll of those called by God to be his brothers and sisters and subjects. But those left out face a terrible fate.

If in this time we forget that Christ became incarnate to save us from this damnation, that Christmas exist so there can be Easter, we are losing our faith in the noise of this time.

In the service we prayed not as much for ourselves, but for others; in this world an din this time, For those of the faith are being oppressed. And the oppressed are promised judgement.

So, in Advent, let us preach Christ. Let is not pretend this is merely our culture. Let us not think that this is just another thread in a multicultural society. Christ came to save us. He either succeeded and is who is, or he is evil or made. Do not think we can be nice, and leave him as one path of many, His path cost too much.

And above all, do not place him in some post modern cone of silence, so that not to offend. The cross should offend. It should pierce our conscience to the core. For GOd put aside his power and became human to bleed and die in our place, to he human, to be dependant. The birth of John was a miracle — his mother was of advanced hears, as was his father. The birth of Christ was an even greater miracle.

And our salvation comes at great cost. We need to hold to that during advent, not the promotions from the merchants who want our money.