DAY 7 - SEE HIM LYING ON A BED OF STRAW

On arriving at Glebe Hyrst tonight, we were greeted by a family of joyful penguins (- not real ones!) declaring:

"Fun to celebrate each year, but remember, one wouldn't have a party without the person whose birthday it is - so search for the bright star to find the answer and then you can celebrate for a lifetime!"

So search we did!  And in a beautiful red gift box just alongside a crib scene we found these instructions:  "OPEN to discover the best present ever!"   As we carefully removed the lid, we found a beautiful heart shape wrapped in tiny red paper with this message lying on top:  "The true gift of Christmas is GOD'S LOVE:  Love one another as I have loved you.  John 13:34"

Today's theme was the Calypso Carol - a contemporary carol written by Michael Perry in 1964:   "See him lying on a bed of straw, draughty stable with an open door;  Mary cradling the babe she bore; The Prince of Glory is His name".

In the words of the last verse of that carol, the message of this song "brings God's glory to the heart of man".  The baby we celebrate in the cradle was none other than "The Prince of Glory".   The real message of Christmas is now beginning to shine through:  "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..."  (John 3:16).

That is what we are celebrating through these live Advent displays - for Christmas reveals the heart of our God, who longs for us to comer to know Him through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Emmanuel:  God with us!