At Christmas time there is that struggle to find the perfect present for your friends and family. Some people want something practical. Some people want something that will amuse them. Others don’t want a present. And there are still others who really don’t need a present.

In yesterday’s post I was reflecting of the fact that we talk about “peace on earth” at Christmas and yet when Christ arrived, life was anything but peaceful thanks to Herod.

So why then say that Jesus’ birth brings peace?

Just after Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s house she has a ‘musical moment’. You know, the point in a stage show when the people are talking and then all of a sudden there’s a short pause and before you know it, yep, someone’s now started singing…

Because people normally do that in conversation, right? Well, Mary actually did.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

Mary gets it. (Again, this is surely due to the Holy Spirit and not women’s intuition).

Christ’s birth was the dawning of a new era; the ultimate ‘realigning of the planets’. It was the start of a new kingdom.

A different kingdom.

A kingdom when rulers are pulled down and the low lifted up; the hungry filled, the rich sent away empty, the proud scattered.

A topsy-turvy kingdom.

A kingdom with which we are at war: God’s kingdom.

The Bible says that if you’re not for God, you’re against him. And if you’re against him, you’re his enemy.

You know that sense of satisfaction when you find the perfect gift for someone. You’ve been trawling through the shops for hours and then suddenly you have that moment of “Yes, that’s the present! They’ll love it! They’ve always wanted one.”

I find that happens to me rarely, but it happened in the ancient world on that very first Christmas night.

Jesus is the most perfect gift ever. Because Jesus is a peace envoy; in the form of a baby.

God sent him to earth so that anyone, anywhere could stop being his enemy and instead join his kingdom. Jesus redeems us from our enemy status because that’s what his name means.

Yesous, Yeshua or Yehoshua = Yeho yasha

Or in English (not Hebrew): Jesus = God saves.

You don’t have to worry about finding the perfect Christmas present.

He already came.

Yours in redemption,

Alison