the 'after Christmas card'
the 'after Christmas card'
The baby survived the stable birth and cattle stall,
Escaped the infanticide of Herod’s rage
Grew in wisdom and stature, skilled in the Torah of God.
Thirty Christmas’s later he was recognised as a Rabbi, a teacher,
He was followed by fishermen, zealots, tax collectors, young and old
He demonstrated by signs and wonders his divine origin and calling,
Messianic prophecies were fulfilled,
He challenged the traditions of religious leaders, healed the sick, raised
the dead, forgave sins, fed the hungry, stilled storms, cast out demons
His name is Jeshua, he was Jewish. He preached the Kingdom of God,
He prayed, He fasted, He wept, He laughed, He partied.
He loved His Father and obeyed, He loved his neighbour Samaritan or Jew.
He slept rough, was seen as a threat, was talked about and argued over
He spoke openly, yet knew he was heading for a showdown,
He welcomed women and children,
He loved the despised and responded to their cries,
He paid taxes to Caesar, his revolution was apolitical
He taught in Synagogues and on hillsides,
He showed God’s love by healing on the Sabbath
John said he was the ‘Lamb of God,’
‘I am the good shepherd’, he said. ‘I lay down my life for the sheep’
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,  I am the true bread, the living water,
I am the resurrection and the life.
Do you believe him? Was he mad?
He warned that ‘wolves would come in sheep’s clothing’,
He knew he would cause division,
He knew his followers would be persecuted,
He came to his own and his own received him not
He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey,
He celebrated Passover, broke bread and poured out wine,
He said it was His body and blood,
He knew he would be betrayed, even by a friend
In his darkest hour his closest friends slept. He sweated blood.
He said ‘I will’, and laid his life down for his bride.
He was falsely accused.
He was condemned for blasphemy... was he God?
He was brought before the Roman Governor,
He was Commander of the armies of heaven.
He was beaten whipped and mocked. He carried his own cross.
He forgave the soldiers. He gave hope to a criminal
 He was crucified in shame, naked.
The sky became black.
His Father turned his face away. Forsaken.
His work was finished
Has Christmas cheer gone?
Will you put Jesus away for another year?
Is the party over, or has it just begun…?
Is there light after the candles?
Light shined behind the stone,
Death could not hold Him. Sin has been sorted.
If you reject Him, you reject yourself.
His kingdom is not of this world.
Be rich. Buy shares in His love
There is no recession in heaven
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