Christmas as Told in the Old

 Testament

Until recently, my mother-in-law has lived on the far south coast of NSW.  Kris and I would drive to her place through the Gippsland region twice every twelve months. 

It has not been uncommon, over the last 20 years, for part of the drive to be through areas of remote Victoria that have been recently ravaged by bushfires.  By far the most confronting drive through the region was in the month after the January 2020 fires.  Charred stumps everywhere; whole forests denuded completely of leaves.  Blackened earth, harsh sun beating down to earth through non-existent tree canopies. 

Lockdowns happened; then, once the border opened in November 2020, we drove back through the region.  Sprouts of green everywhere; tiny new branches growing out of those black stumps.  Blackened branches covered in leaves; new side-branches reaching out. 

It was an image that reminded me of Isaiah 11:1-2. 

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; 

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— 

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, 

the Spirit of counsel and of might, 

the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.” 

Isaiah was written before Jesus came; in fact, a little over 700 years before.  It is full of prophecy about the Messiah – Jesus.  Imagine living before Jesus came.  The Old Testament chronicles this.  It tells the story of Christmas, and its place in God’s almighty and eternal plan. 

It is an amazingly detailed narrative – at the very least, an “advent calendar” full of details Jesus, his life, his sacrifice on the cross and his conquering of death. 

Out of all the many thousands of pages I've read this year - whether for work, study or leisure - this little book of just 60 pages has engaged me more than almost any other - and I'm going to share that with you this Friday in my last Principally Thinking of the year.

But for now grab a cuppa and read on, as our Heads of Primary and Secondary reflect on this year and acknowledge those that are moving on to other callings.  At this time of year, we have much to be thankful for, in human terms, as we finish up our school year.

To every family, to all my colleagues, and to each of our students – may God bless you richly this Christmas season.  May His goodness be apparent as you gather for your own family traditions over the next few weeks.  

To God be the glory, great things He has done.