Reflection:

In my younger days, I was an avid sportsman. I played for my school football team, tennis team and, most importantly to me, the rugby team. I was a competitive athlete and being on the team really mattered to me. One year in pre-season, I picked up an injury, and when I got back to fitness, I had lost my place on the rugby team. I was devastated. That was the first time in my sporting journey when I was officially on the outside. It was a horrible place to be. Standing on the sidelines, wanting to play, watching others play, and not being allowed. I hated it so much that I vowed to become fitter than ever before and never to lose my place on the team again.

I will never forget the feeling of rejection, of relegation and of relational disconnection. That’s why one of my favourite parts of the Christmas story unfolds on the side of a mountain and concerns a group of young men who had not made the team. These young men were likely the youngest in their families least popular in their communities, and because of their work, their reputation, their look, and smell, they were likely never invited to participate in very much, outside of shepherding.

The Good News of the gospel was breaking out on that first Christmas, and the first invitations for participation arrived through the angels to some shepherd boys! How great is the grace of God found in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Roll Call to the lowest and the least, step aside the learned and the liked; an upside-down King has come to announce the arrival of his upside-down Kingdom. If you have spent your life on the sidelines, on the B team, on the outside, this Christmas, I want to extend an invitation on behalf of King Jesus to come and join the party. It is a Good News Party, and you are invited.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the invitation to participate in the celebration of your arrival. Thank you for welcoming someone like me to come and worship you and bring my Thanksgiving offering to you this Christmas.