Perfect timing

It is true that over the Christmas period there are more suicides than any other time of the year, although this applies more to countries in the Northern Hemisphere, where December is cold and depressing. People find themselves alone – no family or friends to enjoy the holidays – and sadly end their lives.

The one thing that has to be acknowledged is that Christmas is often the only time people hear anything about Jesus. They hear carols been played in shopping centres, there is an acknowledgement, even though very slight, that this is the time to remember the birth of Jesus. Most of us know that Jesus couldnt have been born in December, but somebody decided that Christs birth would fall in within that month.

This December, I would like to share with you some aspects of Christs birth that you would not normally hear at a Christmas service. I believe there will be some great revelation, as one begins to acknowledge there is more to Jesus birth than how religion portrays it.

The Christmas story actually begins with the announcement and the birth of John the Baptist, who was an integral part of Gods plan. For you to follow the story it is important that you read the first chapter of Luke.

It begins with Zacharias and Elizabeth. He was a priest, both of them were old and Elizabeth was barren. They had believed God for a child, but none had come. In verse 4, it says they were blameless before the Lord. It does not say they were perfect or sinless.

If you feel that you have to be perfect before God can use you, then God would be unable to use anyone. If we look at the Old Testament characters, they all had their flaws and yet many of them are mentioned in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter.

God wants to bless every one of us and even though it sometimes seems that God has not heard our prayers, He has. It just is not yet the right time.

God only responded to the lifelong prayer of Zacharias and Elizabeth in their old age. There was no doubt this was Gods plan and not some coincidence. Sometimes God answers our prayers when all the natural options have been totally exhausted.

When the angel, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias, he was going about his business – being a priest. This is what God is looking for in us, to be faithful. So often people believe God for a miracle and they lock themselves in their closets and dont come out until they have an answer. Yes there are times when one needs to do this, but its important to go about the work God has called you to for that specific time. You can still pray and believe while you are working.