'Christmas' in July

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Mat 28:19" My son, Warren with his game face on. Grrrr! 
(Photo courtesy of Robin Malherbe)

It's almost summer holidays in the Northern Hemisphere. We, too, are gearing up for a 3 week school break. Some moms are going "Jippeeee!", while others go "Darn, it's holidays...argh!" ;-)

Since our three week break happen to be in the middle of winter -no, its not snowing, but- it is not an ideal time for outdoor activities such as swimming. Many families escape to the warm and very inviting shopping malls for recreation and entertainment. Recently, some malls have even started advertising "Christmas in July" to attract more visitors. This means fake snow, reindeer and all its bells and whistles (and red nose).

It reminded me of a thought I had about celebrating Jesus' birth while visiting friends abroad:

Jesus was born in a stable.

Not Atlantis Hotel in Dubai.

Not Hollywood.

Not Cape Town. *Ta-Daa!*

I have had the privilege of visiting Israel a few years ago and I would not put it on my top ten beautiful places in the world list. No offence.

So, Jesus was born in a rather bland place, Bethlehem, in a rather smelly old barn.

In the least likely of "visually pleasing, heavenly holiday hot-spots', Heaven came down to earth.

In the form of the cries of a newborn baby.

With angelic voices singing and praising God.

A Heavenly moment. The Kingdom of Heaven manifested on earth.

The Angels sang that night: "peace ON EARTH to those with whom God is pleased." (Luke 2:14) As Christians, we have access to this peace, right here, right now, through Jesus Christ.

Going to a peaceful countryside will not give you peace. 

Peace, manifested in Madagascar: loud and lively. Heaven touching earth.
In the form of the excited chatter and laughter of four young brothers, sons of an expat pastoral couple. 

And in the abandoned worship and praise of a foreign nation.

If you have never gone to a nation where most of the world lives, meaning NOT America, Europe or Australia...or Cape Town...if you have never gone to a "developing Nation" for the sake of the gospel, then I would like to urge you to do so. (And you need not relocate, go on a week's missions trip!)

It is worth defying comfort and convenience and the known to go and embrace the unknown and uncertain...(and for some snobs, the uncivilized). It is amazing how, each time I have gone to another nation, my whole life is put into perspective: I am part of something bigger, I am part of God's universal story! What we do in South Africa matters because what they do in Madagascar matters because it matters to Jesus!

Going to another nation makes me see Christ's Church again as a beautiful bride with unique "asemrowende" facets, like a glittering jewel reflecting different colours. 

Going brings a greater thankfulness for what we are a part of and for God's blessing in our own life and it also stirs in us a greater urgency to spread the gospel and be Jesus' representatives back home.

Grateful to go... grateful to come back home, encouraged to continue being (not playing) my part in God's story. It's all about making Jesus famous. Spreading peace and joy, bringing hope and sharing the Good News with all.

Rev 7:9-10  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Jesus)!"