Christmas in July and every day
by Pastor Matt Bishop
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Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in the land (Psalm 85:9).
Read Psalm 85:8–13
Many people think Christmas goes on too long. Are you one of them? If so, you probably hate the idea of Christmas in July. I quickly get over the crass commercialism of Christmas, but I ‘crazy love’ the Christian celebration behind it. So, a Christmas in July function – like the one my congregation is having today – is more than fun and being together. It is another chance to soak up the good news of God’s Son coming to dwell among us in human flesh so he could die for our sins and give us his flourishing life.
‘Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land’ (Psalm 85:8). It’s as though the psalm is written as a celebration of the Christmas message. Think of the Christ-baby coming near, and the angels over the field singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom his favour rests’ (Luke 2:1–20; see Psalm 85:1 for ‘favour’).
Verse 11 almost provides a narrative of the Son connecting with his Father during his earthly life: ‘Faithfulness springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.’ You can imagine ‘faithfulness’, the Son, down on earth, communing with his Father, ‘righteousness’, in heaven, through prayer, obedience and devotion.
And so, quite famously, ‘Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other’ (verse 10). The Father and the Son, the Spirit through them, are pleased with their work of Christmas and the pending salvation of humanity it will unleash. Indeed, we are privileged to join in the celebratory affection embodied in the ongoing greeting to us that this kiss represents.
Therefore, I love a little Christmas every day. Christmas is God’s hidden reality we live in, even as the things of this world obscure and attack it. Therefore, ‘I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly’ (verse 8).
Thank you, Lord, for the obedience of the Son by which he became one of us so that we may know your righteousness and be eternally greeted by your holy kiss of affection. Keep bringing this truth to us by the work of your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Matt Bishop serves at St Paul Lutheran Church and primary school at Blair Athol SA. He is having a pretty full year supervising Vicar Sean Hotinski and chairing the General Pastors Conference planning committee and conference. That’s why he goes fishing to unwind – the beautiful Venus Bay on the Eyre Peninsula being a favourite spot.
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