While I sat in my study this morning, I was enjoying the lovely cool breeze for which the ocean is noted and the peaceful environment where I am fortune to live, except for the occasional passing of a car to and from town. I am deeply conscious that the same cannot be said for many of our mothers who are crying for their children, they are gone – raped and killed by the “Herods” of our present world, who believe this will relieve them from AIDS. Then, I suddenly realise that everything is after all not so peaceful because deep down in my heart, there is a feeling of helplessness, guilt and frustration, upsetting the very inner quiet and peace which I imagine myself to be enjoying.
I also believe that I am not the only one at this time experiencing this feeling of uneasiness. There are thousands around the country and undoubtedly throughout the world passing through the same traumatic experiences. There are countries with disturbing factors clouding the minds of concerned people, factors like rape, abortion, teenage pregnancy, famine, strikes, retrenchments, Covid-19 and many others. What is God saying to us at a time like this? Is there a word from the Lord? Yes, indeed! I believe God has something to say for our situation.
As this year draws to a close, our thoughts are, no doubt, turning to what is commonly called the festive season. It is a tune when most of us are looking forward to relax and enjoy the holiday – a time when the digestive system will have to endure some extra strain. It is a passing, and we anticipate hopefully what is to be in the New Year while the Christmas and New Year season may be an enjoyable reality.
While meditating as to what to write, my thoughts turned to that strange book called the Revelations, and I was rather fascinated by the words of our Lord Himself where we read: “Fear not. I am the first and the last, and behold, I am alive for ever more, and I have the keys of death and hades”. And then follows the greetings: Grace to you, and peace from Him who is and who was and who is encouragement. Revelations goes on to say: “I Jesus, have sent my messenger’ to you with this testimony for the churches.”
This was the message of Jesus to the Church of that time. It was addressed so that they may know that Jesus was vitally alive, present and active among them.
As many of us are preparing ourselves for another joyous festive occasion, we are confronted with the self-same risen Lord, who declares amidst the trials and tribulations of life, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living One…” Here, He describes Himself as distributing His Love amongst His people by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we come to a realisation that He is a present reality right now, giving a new dimension to life so that the historical events of Bethlehem, Calvary and the Empty Tomb become the real substance of our joy and our unswerving hope about the fulfilment of God’s purpose on the future. And we discover anew that the Emmanuel, whom we so passionately adore at Christmas time, is none other than “God with us”. And because He is from the beginning, and because He is the lost Word from God and the One in whom our hopes and expectations are pinned, we are rightly confident that He will continue to be “God with us”.
In this genealogy, it illustrates the glory of Kingship received; the tragedy of freedom lost; and the wonder of liberty restored. That, by the mercy of God, is the story of humanity. That is, to us, the Good News of Christmas.
God bless you all.
* (Reverend Jan. A. Scholtz is the former Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council and former !Nami#nus Constituency Regional Councillor. He is the holder of a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA), Diploma in Education III (KOK) and BA (HED) from UNISA.