1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,300 Hello, and welcome to this week's episode of Trinity Sermons. 2 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:14,380 This week we are continuing our sermon series, The Ghosts of Christmas, where we look at 3 00:00:14,380 --> 00:00:20,500 Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and the ghostly visitors that come to Ebenezer Scrooge. 4 00:00:20,500 --> 00:00:25,060 Today we are looking at Scrooge's visit from the Ghost of Christmas Present. 5 00:00:25,060 --> 00:00:29,180 No, not Christmas Present, like the gifts that are under the tree. 6 00:00:29,180 --> 00:00:32,740 It's present, as in the here and the now. 7 00:00:32,740 --> 00:00:37,440 And sometimes we get stuck on worrying about the past or worrying about the future, but 8 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,520 the present is where life actually happens. 9 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:44,860 And so the ghost takes Scrooge through what is happening in Christmas in that moment and 10 00:00:44,860 --> 00:00:49,720 shares with him stories of joy and generosity and hope. 11 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:55,040 And so join us as we learn from those stories as well and dive into our own acts of generosity 12 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:56,040 and hope in this season. 13 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:08,140 Today's first reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31 through 46. 14 00:01:08,140 --> 00:01:12,060 When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will sit on his 15 00:01:12,060 --> 00:01:14,140 glorious throne. 16 00:01:14,140 --> 00:01:18,780 All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the people one from another 17 00:01:18,780 --> 00:01:22,780 as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 18 00:01:22,780 --> 00:01:27,500 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 19 00:01:27,500 --> 00:01:32,620 Then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my father, take 20 00:01:32,620 --> 00:01:38,000 your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 21 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,540 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. 22 00:01:40,540 --> 00:01:43,420 I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. 23 00:01:43,420 --> 00:01:45,960 I was a stranger and you invited me in. 24 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:48,300 I needed clothes and you clothed me. 25 00:01:48,300 --> 00:01:50,420 I was sick and you look after me. 26 00:01:50,420 --> 00:01:54,220 I was in prison and you came to visit me. 27 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:58,620 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or 28 00:01:58,620 --> 00:02:01,660 thirsty and give you something to drink? 29 00:02:01,660 --> 00:02:06,740 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? 30 00:02:06,740 --> 00:02:11,040 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? 31 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:16,860 The king will reply, truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers 32 00:02:16,860 --> 00:02:20,900 and sisters of mine, you did for me. 33 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:26,060 Then he will say to those on his left, depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal 34 00:02:26,060 --> 00:02:29,240 fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 35 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,860 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. 36 00:02:31,860 --> 00:02:34,620 I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 37 00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:37,740 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in. 38 00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:40,580 I needed clothes and you did not clothe me. 39 00:02:40,580 --> 00:02:45,140 I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. 40 00:02:45,140 --> 00:02:51,140 They will also answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger and needing 41 00:02:51,140 --> 00:02:55,740 clothes or sick or in prison and did not help you? 42 00:02:55,740 --> 00:03:01,840 He will reply, truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, 43 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,180 you did not do for me. 44 00:03:04,180 --> 00:03:10,420 They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. 45 00:03:10,420 --> 00:03:15,900 Our second reading is from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, verses 8 through 10. 46 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:19,620 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks 47 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:20,620 at night. 48 00:03:20,620 --> 00:03:25,620 An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and 49 00:03:25,620 --> 00:03:27,860 they were terrified. 50 00:03:27,860 --> 00:03:30,580 But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. 51 00:03:30,580 --> 00:03:35,860 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 52 00:03:35,860 --> 00:03:37,560 The word of the Lord. 53 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:47,580 So a man goes up to God and he says, God, is it true that with you a million dollars 54 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:49,460 is like a penny? 55 00:03:49,460 --> 00:03:51,980 And God says, yes, that's true. 56 00:03:51,980 --> 00:03:56,220 And then he goes and he says, and God, is it true that with you like a million years 57 00:03:56,220 --> 00:03:58,300 is like a second? 58 00:03:58,300 --> 00:04:00,740 God says, yes, that's true. 59 00:04:00,740 --> 00:04:06,940 And so the man thinks for a while and then he says, God, could I have a penny? 60 00:04:06,940 --> 00:04:13,100 And to which God replies, sure, wait a second. 61 00:04:13,100 --> 00:04:17,860 What is God's relationship with time? 62 00:04:17,860 --> 00:04:24,180 This is a question that theologians and philosophers have, you know, wondered about for years and 63 00:04:24,180 --> 00:04:25,180 years and years. 64 00:04:25,180 --> 00:04:26,940 Do we have that first slide in there, Liz? 65 00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:28,220 Can we put that up? 66 00:04:28,220 --> 00:04:29,220 Yeah. 67 00:04:29,220 --> 00:04:34,500 And so for many, they have said that God's relationship is what we might call atemporal. 68 00:04:34,500 --> 00:04:41,220 This is a classic thought that God, of course, stands outside of time or beyond time, right? 69 00:04:41,220 --> 00:04:44,820 We have a past and a present and a future, but God has no past, present and future. 70 00:04:44,820 --> 00:04:48,660 He doesn't experience past, present and future because time is actually one of the things 71 00:04:48,660 --> 00:04:49,660 that God created. 72 00:04:49,660 --> 00:04:51,620 And so he is atemporal. 73 00:04:51,620 --> 00:04:53,020 He is outside of time. 74 00:04:53,020 --> 00:04:54,860 He is beyond time. 75 00:04:54,860 --> 00:04:55,860 That's one thought. 76 00:04:55,860 --> 00:05:03,660 Another thought out there is that God is omni-temporal, which actually means that God exists in every 77 00:05:03,660 --> 00:05:06,900 moment of time, all the time, right? 78 00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:11,580 And for God, the only thing God experiences is a right now. 79 00:05:11,580 --> 00:05:13,580 Right now is always how God feels. 80 00:05:13,580 --> 00:05:17,980 So right now, God is present at the moment of creation. 81 00:05:17,980 --> 00:05:21,920 And right now, God is also present at the crucifixion. 82 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:25,820 And right now, God is present with us here at Trinity Streetsville. 83 00:05:25,820 --> 00:05:30,700 And in the same sense, God feels that right now he is present at distant events in the 84 00:05:30,700 --> 00:05:34,300 future that have yet to occur, right? 85 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:35,540 He's omni-temporal. 86 00:05:35,540 --> 00:05:39,740 He's in every single time as a now. 87 00:05:39,740 --> 00:05:44,780 Now there's another kind of theory out there that actually God is temporal, which means 88 00:05:44,780 --> 00:05:45,780 this. 89 00:05:45,780 --> 00:05:47,220 It means that at one point, yes, it's true. 90 00:05:47,220 --> 00:05:52,060 God was kind of separated atemporal from time. 91 00:05:52,060 --> 00:05:58,340 But then at the moment of creation, when God called the world into existence, something 92 00:05:58,340 --> 00:06:04,300 changed, and now all of a sudden, God became caught up in the passage of time. 93 00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:11,220 And so now God works in time and works with time just like we do. 94 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:12,980 But there's one more out there. 95 00:06:12,980 --> 00:06:15,780 And this, I mean, these could all be true at the same time, I suppose. 96 00:06:15,780 --> 00:06:20,460 But, but, and that is that God is intratemporal. 97 00:06:20,460 --> 00:06:25,860 Now this is the important one for Christmas because this says that not only does God work 98 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:32,980 with time, but at a point in time, God entered into the human timeline. 99 00:06:32,980 --> 00:06:33,980 That's right. 100 00:06:33,980 --> 00:06:40,220 God the Son stepped into human time and began to experience all the constraints of time, 101 00:06:40,220 --> 00:06:41,740 just like you and I do. 102 00:06:41,740 --> 00:06:48,900 Birth and growth and, and death and resurrection, all of that stuff God has experienced. 103 00:06:48,900 --> 00:06:56,420 So it's quite a mystery to understand how it is that God experiences time. 104 00:06:56,420 --> 00:06:59,260 But what about humans? 105 00:06:59,260 --> 00:07:02,060 How do we experience time? 106 00:07:02,060 --> 00:07:08,420 Well, you have probably heard the saying that there is no time like the present. 107 00:07:08,420 --> 00:07:11,940 And that is absolutely a hundred percent true for human beings. 108 00:07:11,940 --> 00:07:17,740 I mean, you think about it for us, the present is all that we have. 109 00:07:17,740 --> 00:07:22,520 The present is that moment where everything happens for us. 110 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:27,180 It's the only part of time that actually feels real to us. 111 00:07:27,180 --> 00:07:29,380 The past is just a memory. 112 00:07:29,380 --> 00:07:36,060 The future is some kind of dream, but all the action happens in the present. 113 00:07:36,060 --> 00:07:40,380 Every word of love that you have ever spoken happened in a present moment. 114 00:07:40,380 --> 00:07:43,660 Every song you ever enjoyed listening to happened in a present moment. 115 00:07:43,660 --> 00:07:47,180 Every meal that you shared, it was in a present moment. 116 00:07:47,180 --> 00:07:49,740 The present moment is, is all that we have. 117 00:07:49,740 --> 00:07:51,780 The now is all we have. 118 00:07:51,780 --> 00:08:00,100 In fact, the past and the future are all just nows that have happened and that will happen. 119 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:05,700 All we have is the present and the present is so fleeting that as soon as you start to 120 00:08:05,700 --> 00:08:08,300 talk about it, it's past. 121 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:12,620 It's it's over before it has begun. 122 00:08:12,620 --> 00:08:17,860 Well, presently here at Trinity Streetsville, we are doing this teaching series called the 123 00:08:17,860 --> 00:08:23,780 Ghosts of Christmas where we're using Charles Dickens, a Christmas Carol to help us in our 124 00:08:23,780 --> 00:08:25,940 Advent and Christmas journey. 125 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:31,420 And speaking of present, this story, Dickens, a Christmas Carol is a present. 126 00:08:31,420 --> 00:08:36,600 It is a gift to all of us because like any Christmas Carol, what it's helping us do is 127 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:40,860 celebrate the birth of Christ. 128 00:08:40,860 --> 00:08:47,900 And so far, Ebenezer Scrooge has been visited by two ghosts, two ghosts, right? 129 00:08:47,900 --> 00:08:53,220 On Christmas Eve, the first ghost, what was the first ghost's name? 130 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:55,500 Jacob Marley, the first ghost was Jacob Marley. 131 00:08:55,500 --> 00:08:57,740 He's Scrooge's old business associate. 132 00:08:57,740 --> 00:09:02,460 He shows up to tell Scrooge he's got to change his ways or else he's going to suffer eternal 133 00:09:02,460 --> 00:09:03,460 torment. 134 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:04,460 OK. 135 00:09:04,460 --> 00:09:12,020 And then the second ghost that Scrooge encounters is the Ghosts of Christmas Past. 136 00:09:12,020 --> 00:09:16,840 The Ghosts of Christmas Past comes along and he starts to show Scrooge some painful memories 137 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:18,920 and some joyful memories from his past. 138 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,800 And now the transformation starts happening in Scrooge's life. 139 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:28,940 But this week, Scrooge is going to meet the Ghost of Christmas Present and Ghosts of Christmas 140 00:09:28,940 --> 00:09:34,500 Present is going to help him and he's going to help us learn the importance of living 141 00:09:34,500 --> 00:09:38,340 in the now and living in the moment. 142 00:09:38,340 --> 00:09:42,460 Here is the moment where Scrooge meets the Ghosts of Christmas Present. 143 00:09:42,460 --> 00:10:07,780 Come in, come in, and you'll be better man. 144 00:10:07,780 --> 00:10:10,020 I am the spirit of Christmas present. 145 00:10:10,020 --> 00:10:11,020 Look upon me. 146 00:10:11,020 --> 00:10:15,700 You never seen the light of me before, have you? 147 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:16,700 Never. 148 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:21,420 I wish the pleasure had been indefinitely postponed. 149 00:10:21,420 --> 00:10:27,640 Now Dickens describes the Ghosts of Christmas Present as this guy who's this big dude who's 150 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:33,500 wearing this green furry robe with this white furry trim all around it and of course his 151 00:10:33,500 --> 00:10:35,220 breast is laid bare. 152 00:10:35,220 --> 00:10:41,140 In other words, he's describing the very first ugly Christmas sweater. 153 00:10:41,140 --> 00:10:44,620 And this is I think Charles Dickens would be very pleased to know that people are still 154 00:10:44,620 --> 00:10:47,380 wearing ugly sweaters to this day. 155 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:48,380 But why? 156 00:10:48,380 --> 00:10:52,780 Why did he send the Ghosts of Christmas Present? 157 00:10:52,780 --> 00:10:53,780 Why has he come for? 158 00:10:53,780 --> 00:10:55,980 He's only come for one purpose and this is it. 159 00:10:55,980 --> 00:10:59,080 To help Scrooge see what is right in front of him. 160 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:05,340 To help him notice what is going on around him, to pay attention to the present moment. 161 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:10,260 That's why throughout the story we keep hearing language where the Ghosts of Christmas Present 162 00:11:10,260 --> 00:11:13,300 is saying look at me Scrooge, look, pay attention. 163 00:11:13,300 --> 00:11:14,580 Do you see this? 164 00:11:14,580 --> 00:11:16,000 Are you observing this? 165 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:17,660 Have you seen the likes of me before? 166 00:11:17,660 --> 00:11:19,700 Have you seen a situation like this before? 167 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:26,500 He's constantly trying to point out to Scrooge that his eyes are not seeing what's happening 168 00:11:26,500 --> 00:11:27,500 in the present. 169 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:28,500 Right? 170 00:11:28,500 --> 00:11:30,340 Look backwards Scrooge, look here. 171 00:11:30,340 --> 00:11:32,500 Don't look forward Scrooge, look here. 172 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:37,060 And it is so true that people who get stuck in the past or people who are so worried about 173 00:11:37,060 --> 00:11:43,020 the future, they're too distracted to be fully present in the moment. 174 00:11:43,020 --> 00:11:47,380 And the Bible implores us my friends to be present in the moment. 175 00:11:47,380 --> 00:11:51,860 Jesus says don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow is going to worry about itself. 176 00:11:51,860 --> 00:11:53,540 Today's where the problems are. 177 00:11:53,540 --> 00:11:55,500 Today's where the opportunities are. 178 00:11:55,500 --> 00:11:57,920 Today's where all the action happens. 179 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:01,620 And Paul writes he says now is the time of God's favor. 180 00:12:01,620 --> 00:12:04,380 No not tomorrow, not yesterday. 181 00:12:04,380 --> 00:12:07,380 Now is the day of salvation. 182 00:12:07,380 --> 00:12:11,860 So I want to start just by asking you are you one of those people who is constantly 183 00:12:11,860 --> 00:12:16,700 living in the past or are you one of those people who is constantly thinking about or 184 00:12:16,700 --> 00:12:18,860 dreaming about or worrying about the future? 185 00:12:18,860 --> 00:12:24,260 I know this sounds a little bit extreme for me to say but if you are then literally quite 186 00:12:24,260 --> 00:12:32,900 literally you are wasting your life because the present is where you actually live. 187 00:12:32,900 --> 00:12:36,820 It's where everything important actually happens. 188 00:12:36,820 --> 00:12:43,540 And we may all need a wake up call to realize deeply that the present moment is all you 189 00:12:43,540 --> 00:12:45,900 ever have. 190 00:12:45,900 --> 00:12:50,940 And to make the now the primary focus of your life. 191 00:12:50,940 --> 00:13:00,020 Scrooge's salvation and our salvation depend on us both seeing and seizing the present 192 00:13:00,020 --> 00:13:02,180 moments of life. 193 00:13:02,180 --> 00:13:03,780 And so the ghost of Christ was present. 194 00:13:03,780 --> 00:13:04,780 What's he going to do? 195 00:13:04,780 --> 00:13:08,100 He's going to try to save Scrooge and the way he's going to do this is going to fly 196 00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:16,180 him all over England and he's going to make sure he understands the power of the present. 197 00:13:16,180 --> 00:13:23,780 And he begins this journey by showing Scrooge the present blessings that are all around 198 00:13:23,780 --> 00:13:24,780 him. 199 00:13:24,780 --> 00:13:29,620 Now you know this that it is so easy to overlook all the good things in our life and focus 200 00:13:29,620 --> 00:13:31,900 only on the bad. 201 00:13:31,900 --> 00:13:36,660 This is sometimes called the negativity bias and it happens whenever we focus all of our 202 00:13:36,660 --> 00:13:41,860 attention it's proven we focus more energy on the negative things than on the positive 203 00:13:41,860 --> 00:13:45,380 things just watch the evening news and you will see. 204 00:13:45,380 --> 00:13:51,380 So how could this be Scrooge doesn't understand how people who are suffering or people who 205 00:13:51,380 --> 00:13:57,300 are poor or or people who don't have everything that he has could possibly be joyful could 206 00:13:57,300 --> 00:14:01,060 possibly be happy could possibly be content. 207 00:14:01,060 --> 00:14:07,900 How can this be Scrooge says and and the answer is because they are aware that in every present 208 00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:11,940 moment there are blessings for us. 209 00:14:11,940 --> 00:14:14,020 There are blessings in the present. 210 00:14:14,020 --> 00:14:20,780 So for example here Scrooge starts by flying flying to a scene in London. 211 00:14:20,780 --> 00:14:21,780 It's a snowy scene. 212 00:14:21,780 --> 00:14:23,140 The city looks so bleak. 213 00:14:23,140 --> 00:14:24,140 It looks so dark. 214 00:14:24,140 --> 00:14:25,220 The people look so poor. 215 00:14:25,220 --> 00:14:27,420 They should be unhappy but they're not unhappy. 216 00:14:27,420 --> 00:14:29,780 The ghost shows them look see that grocer. 217 00:14:29,780 --> 00:14:33,540 He's very happy and jolly and see this family they're very happy and jolly. 218 00:14:33,540 --> 00:14:34,540 How can it be? 219 00:14:34,540 --> 00:14:40,980 It's because they still feel blessed in the present moment right and then they fly all 220 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:45,100 the way out to the coast to this lighthouse that's out by the coast and out there there's 221 00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:48,280 these two men sitting in that lighthouse on Christmas Eve. 222 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,060 They're not with their families where they want to be. 223 00:14:50,060 --> 00:14:53,620 They're isolated together and yet they're celebrating Christmas. 224 00:14:53,620 --> 00:14:55,460 Scrooge doesn't understand how can this be? 225 00:14:55,460 --> 00:14:57,220 They should be unhappy but they're not. 226 00:14:57,220 --> 00:14:58,220 Why? 227 00:14:58,220 --> 00:15:03,220 Because there's always blessings to be celebrated in the present moment and then he flies them 228 00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:08,100 over out to out to the ocean where he comes across like this the shipping vessel and there's 229 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:12,500 a bunch of crew on board and the waves are rocking and it's cold and it's dangerous and 230 00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:18,380 yet even in inside the boat the crew is sitting there sharing a Christmas Eve dinner and they're 231 00:15:18,380 --> 00:15:19,780 rejoicing and they're happy. 232 00:15:19,780 --> 00:15:20,780 How can this be? 233 00:15:20,780 --> 00:15:25,580 It's because they're aware that even in their danger and even in their isolation there are 234 00:15:25,580 --> 00:15:33,340 blessings in the present moment and then and then he takes them to this mining town and 235 00:15:33,340 --> 00:15:35,020 what mining town think about this. 236 00:15:35,020 --> 00:15:39,940 This is the darkest, indigest, most dangerous place on earth and even as they're flying 237 00:15:39,940 --> 00:15:40,940 guess what? 238 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,780 They hear music on the air. 239 00:15:43,780 --> 00:15:49,580 What place is this? 240 00:15:49,580 --> 00:15:54,860 A place where miners live who labor in the bowels of the earth but they know me. 241 00:15:54,860 --> 00:15:55,860 Come. 242 00:15:55,860 --> 00:16:10,260 So what is the lesson that Scrooge is supposed to learn from this and what is the lesson 243 00:16:10,260 --> 00:16:12,420 that we are supposed to be learning from this? 244 00:16:12,420 --> 00:16:14,700 The lesson is there's always blessings. 245 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:19,660 There's always blessings to celebrate even in tough times, even in hard times, even in 246 00:16:19,660 --> 00:16:26,700 bad times but perhaps the most important place that the ghost takes Scrooge on this night 247 00:16:26,700 --> 00:16:28,700 was the home of Bob Cratchit. 248 00:16:28,700 --> 00:16:33,180 Now Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's long-suffering employee. 249 00:16:33,180 --> 00:16:34,180 He's a poor fellow. 250 00:16:34,180 --> 00:16:35,180 He is a poor family. 251 00:16:35,180 --> 00:16:41,660 In fact Scrooge at one point says that Bob has no right and no reason to be happy at 252 00:16:41,660 --> 00:16:42,900 Christmas. 253 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:47,140 But when Scrooge gets a peek of what's actually going on in Bob's house it tells a very different 254 00:16:47,140 --> 00:16:48,140 story. 255 00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:50,140 There's such a goose Martha. 256 00:16:50,140 --> 00:16:52,140 I'm sure of it. 257 00:16:52,140 --> 00:16:53,140 And pudding. 258 00:16:53,140 --> 00:16:54,140 Oh the pudding. 259 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:57,140 It shan't be easy till it's eaten. 260 00:16:57,140 --> 00:17:00,140 I confess I have my doubts about the quantity of flour. 261 00:17:00,140 --> 00:17:02,140 It'll be a perfect pudding my love. 262 00:17:02,140 --> 00:17:03,140 A perfect pudding. 263 00:17:03,140 --> 00:17:04,140 Won't it Martha my dear? 264 00:17:04,140 --> 00:17:05,140 Ain't it? 265 00:17:05,140 --> 00:17:11,140 It'll be the finest pudding in the whole of London this Christmas and the goose will be 266 00:17:11,140 --> 00:17:16,140 the finest goose and ours will be the finest Christmas. 267 00:17:16,140 --> 00:17:18,140 You gotta love Tiny Tim. 268 00:17:18,140 --> 00:17:19,140 He's so cute right? 269 00:17:19,140 --> 00:17:23,140 But listen despite their small home and despite their meager feast you heard what he said. 270 00:17:23,140 --> 00:17:25,140 It's going to be the finest goose. 271 00:17:25,140 --> 00:17:27,140 It's going to be the finest pudding. 272 00:17:27,140 --> 00:17:31,140 It's going to be the finest Christmas in all of London. 273 00:17:31,140 --> 00:17:36,140 And Dickens tells us listen they were not a handsome family but they were happy and 274 00:17:36,140 --> 00:17:37,140 they were grateful. 275 00:17:37,140 --> 00:17:38,140 Grateful to who? 276 00:17:38,140 --> 00:17:39,140 Grateful to God. 277 00:17:39,140 --> 00:17:44,140 They were pleased with one another and they were contented with the time. 278 00:17:44,140 --> 00:17:46,140 And now Scrooge is starting to see. 279 00:17:46,140 --> 00:17:50,140 He's starting to see how they could be happy. 280 00:17:50,140 --> 00:17:52,140 How could they be happy? 281 00:17:52,140 --> 00:17:57,140 It's because like the apostle Paul wrote we can give thanks in all circumstances. 282 00:17:57,140 --> 00:17:58,140 Really all circumstances. 283 00:17:58,140 --> 00:18:00,140 Do you know my circumstances Rob? 284 00:18:00,140 --> 00:18:06,140 Yes all circumstances there are blessings to be thankful for in the present. 285 00:18:06,140 --> 00:18:08,140 And Paul goes on he says listen I know what you're thinking. 286 00:18:08,140 --> 00:18:12,140 I know what it's like to have a little and I know what it's like to have a lot. 287 00:18:12,140 --> 00:18:15,140 But I can do all things through him. 288 00:18:15,140 --> 00:18:16,140 Who's the him? 289 00:18:16,140 --> 00:18:19,140 Jesus Christ who strengthens me. 290 00:18:19,140 --> 00:18:24,140 You see Christmas tells us one, two, three, a million things. 291 00:18:24,140 --> 00:18:26,140 It tells us that God loves us. 292 00:18:26,140 --> 00:18:27,140 That is a blessing. 293 00:18:27,140 --> 00:18:29,140 It tells us that Jesus came for us. 294 00:18:29,140 --> 00:18:30,140 That is a blessing. 295 00:18:30,140 --> 00:18:33,140 It tells us that there is hope for us. 296 00:18:33,140 --> 00:18:35,140 That is a blessing and another blessing and another blessing. 297 00:18:35,140 --> 00:18:37,140 So you know that means you're blessed. 298 00:18:37,140 --> 00:18:41,140 Christmas by its very nature means no matter what is going on in your life you are 299 00:18:41,140 --> 00:18:43,140 blessed. 300 00:18:43,140 --> 00:18:46,140 Now I don't know how you're feeling about this coming Christmas. 301 00:18:46,140 --> 00:18:47,140 How it's shaping up for you. 302 00:18:47,140 --> 00:18:49,140 Maybe it's shaping up to be a great Christmas. 303 00:18:49,140 --> 00:18:53,140 Maybe there's things that you think you know I kind of feel like I'm in a lonely 304 00:18:53,140 --> 00:18:54,140 lighthouse right now. 305 00:18:54,140 --> 00:18:58,140 I'm not going to get to be with the people that I love this Christmas. 306 00:18:58,140 --> 00:19:02,140 Or maybe you feel like you're in a dangerous or tumultuous situation in your life right 307 00:19:02,140 --> 00:19:03,140 now. 308 00:19:03,140 --> 00:19:05,140 Like you're on one of those boats in the middle of the ocean. 309 00:19:05,140 --> 00:19:10,140 Or maybe you feel like those miners that you're in a dark place that you're going 310 00:19:10,140 --> 00:19:12,140 through something very, very difficult. 311 00:19:12,140 --> 00:19:14,140 And there's some real challenges there. 312 00:19:14,140 --> 00:19:19,140 Or maybe or maybe or maybe these aren't easy situations. 313 00:19:19,140 --> 00:19:21,140 There are all sorts of tough situations. 314 00:19:21,140 --> 00:19:27,140 But like the apostle Paul and like Bob Cratchit don't overlook your blessings and 315 00:19:27,140 --> 00:19:28,140 Christmas is full of them. 316 00:19:28,140 --> 00:19:29,140 Right. 317 00:19:29,140 --> 00:19:35,140 Right here in the present moment right now God is heaping blessings upon you. 318 00:19:35,140 --> 00:19:39,140 But are you keeping your eyes open to see them. 319 00:19:39,140 --> 00:19:40,140 OK. 320 00:19:40,140 --> 00:19:43,140 So the ghost is just getting just getting started. 321 00:19:43,140 --> 00:19:47,140 He shows Scrooge you got to pay attention to all the present blessings around you. 322 00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:52,140 But then he goes on to say Scrooge if you don't live in the now you don't live in 323 00:19:52,140 --> 00:19:56,140 the now you're not just going to miss out on your present blessings but you're also 324 00:19:56,140 --> 00:20:00,140 going to miss out on the world's present needs. 325 00:20:00,140 --> 00:20:05,140 You see the ghost reminds Scrooge and he reminds us that it is not enough for you to 326 00:20:05,140 --> 00:20:10,140 have your own little world and your own little bubble distracted by your own 327 00:20:10,140 --> 00:20:11,140 concerns. 328 00:20:11,140 --> 00:20:16,140 But you also have to have your eyes open to the pain of the world around you. 329 00:20:16,140 --> 00:20:21,140 So for example for example Scrooge had seen Bob Cratchit at work every day for 330 00:20:21,140 --> 00:20:25,140 years and years and years and yet he still didn't really see and still didn't 331 00:20:25,140 --> 00:20:30,140 really understand the needs that were going on in his home and in his family and 332 00:20:30,140 --> 00:20:33,140 especially with little tiny Tim. 333 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:34,140 Right. 334 00:20:34,140 --> 00:20:38,140 It wasn't until the ghost takes him and shows him that he begins to understand 335 00:20:38,140 --> 00:20:42,140 some of the needs that have been right under his nose the whole time. 336 00:20:42,140 --> 00:20:55,140 He's growing strong and hearty though Martha my dear isn't he my love. 337 00:20:55,140 --> 00:20:57,140 You see Tim is in real trouble. 338 00:20:57,140 --> 00:20:59,140 I know we call him cute little tiny Tim right. 339 00:20:59,140 --> 00:21:03,140 He's got his cute little crutch sitting over there but Dickens I mean listen kids 340 00:21:03,140 --> 00:21:08,140 in the Victorian era many of them did not make it out of childhood and what 341 00:21:08,140 --> 00:21:11,140 Charles Dickens is probably trying to say here is tiny Tim's got something like 342 00:21:11,140 --> 00:21:16,140 tuberculosis or something like that which is fatal especially in poor families 343 00:21:16,140 --> 00:21:20,140 malnourished families families that don't have health care right. 344 00:21:20,140 --> 00:21:25,140 But in all his years you know Scrooge never actually saw the seriousness of the 345 00:21:25,140 --> 00:21:31,140 need before him and if we don't open our eyes and live in the present moment then 346 00:21:31,140 --> 00:21:35,140 we too are going to overlook the needs in our world. 347 00:21:35,140 --> 00:21:39,140 In fact in one of the most haunting moments of the whole story and the whole 348 00:21:39,140 --> 00:21:46,140 movie it happens when the ghost shows Scrooge these two emaciated children. 349 00:21:46,140 --> 00:21:49,140 It's too hard a lesson for you to learn. 350 00:21:49,140 --> 00:21:56,140 Then learn this lesson. 351 00:21:56,140 --> 00:21:59,140 Spirit are these yours? 352 00:21:59,140 --> 00:22:01,140 They are man's. 353 00:22:01,140 --> 00:22:04,140 They cling to me for protection from their fetters. 354 00:22:04,140 --> 00:22:06,140 This boy is ignorance. 355 00:22:06,140 --> 00:22:08,140 This girl is want. 356 00:22:08,140 --> 00:22:13,140 Beware them both but most of all beware this boy. 357 00:22:13,140 --> 00:22:14,140 But have they no refuge? 358 00:22:14,140 --> 00:22:16,140 No results? 359 00:22:16,140 --> 00:22:18,140 Are there no prisons? 360 00:22:18,140 --> 00:22:21,140 Are there no work houses? 361 00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:23,140 Now that is a really important line. 362 00:22:23,140 --> 00:22:25,140 This boy is ignorance. 363 00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:27,140 This girl is want. 364 00:22:27,140 --> 00:22:32,140 Beware them both but most of all beware this boy and the book goes on to say for on his 365 00:22:32,140 --> 00:22:36,140 brow I see written doom. 366 00:22:36,140 --> 00:22:38,140 Guys the message is clear. 367 00:22:38,140 --> 00:22:42,140 While both of these are tragic ignorance is the greater danger. 368 00:22:42,140 --> 00:22:43,140 Why? 369 00:22:43,140 --> 00:22:45,140 Because ignorant people are blind. 370 00:22:45,140 --> 00:22:47,140 They don't see what's going on in front of them. 371 00:22:47,140 --> 00:22:53,140 Ignorance keeps us from seeing, from noticing, from understanding the suffering of others. 372 00:22:53,140 --> 00:23:00,140 And the Bible warns us what will happen if we are ignorant about the needs of the world. 373 00:23:00,140 --> 00:23:05,140 In Proverbs 21 we read whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor. 374 00:23:05,140 --> 00:23:13,140 I would add whoever closes their eyes to the poor will also cry out and not be answered. 375 00:23:13,140 --> 00:23:15,140 It's just like Jesus taught. 376 00:23:15,140 --> 00:23:18,140 Why don't we give the hungry something to eat? 377 00:23:18,140 --> 00:23:20,140 It's because we don't really see them. 378 00:23:20,140 --> 00:23:22,140 Why don't we give the thirsty something to drink? 379 00:23:22,140 --> 00:23:24,140 It's because we don't actually see them. 380 00:23:24,140 --> 00:23:25,140 We don't notice them. 381 00:23:25,140 --> 00:23:26,140 Why don't we help the stranger? 382 00:23:26,140 --> 00:23:28,140 Why don't we help the sick? 383 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:29,140 Why don't we help those in prison? 384 00:23:29,140 --> 00:23:32,140 It's because we're not paying attention. 385 00:23:32,140 --> 00:23:33,140 We're thinking about the past. 386 00:23:33,140 --> 00:23:34,140 We're thinking about the future. 387 00:23:34,140 --> 00:23:37,140 We're not paying attention to the present. 388 00:23:37,140 --> 00:23:40,140 But God always pays attention to the present. 389 00:23:40,140 --> 00:23:43,140 God has always had his eyes on the poor and the needy. 390 00:23:43,140 --> 00:23:48,140 In fact I think that is why God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. 391 00:23:48,140 --> 00:23:51,140 The shepherds were the Bob Cratchits. 392 00:23:51,140 --> 00:23:54,140 The shepherds were the tiny Tims of their day. 393 00:23:54,140 --> 00:23:55,140 They were poor. 394 00:23:55,140 --> 00:23:56,140 They were uneducated. 395 00:23:56,140 --> 00:23:57,140 They were unhealthy. 396 00:23:57,140 --> 00:24:00,140 They were unseen. 397 00:24:00,140 --> 00:24:06,140 And yet it was these invisible ones that God stares at and looks at and sends the angels to 398 00:24:06,140 --> 00:24:09,140 and brings good news of great joy for all the people. 399 00:24:09,140 --> 00:24:11,140 The point being this. 400 00:24:11,140 --> 00:24:16,140 If God sees and values those who are overlooked, 401 00:24:16,140 --> 00:24:22,140 shouldn't we open our eyes to see them as well? 402 00:24:22,140 --> 00:24:24,140 Because, and this is the third point, 403 00:24:24,140 --> 00:24:29,140 when we open our eyes to the needs around us, 404 00:24:29,140 --> 00:24:34,140 then God will show us present opportunities to meet those needs. 405 00:24:34,140 --> 00:24:36,140 You know in the Christmas carol, right, 406 00:24:36,140 --> 00:24:43,140 the Spirit shows Scrooge that actually tiny Tim's future is not set in stone. 407 00:24:43,140 --> 00:24:44,140 Check this out. 408 00:24:44,140 --> 00:24:49,140 Spirit, tell me where will tiny Tim live? 409 00:24:49,140 --> 00:24:52,140 I see a vacant seat in a poor chimney corner 410 00:24:52,140 --> 00:24:55,140 and a crutch without an owner carefully preserved. 411 00:24:55,140 --> 00:24:58,140 If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, 412 00:24:58,140 --> 00:25:01,140 none other of my race shall find him now. 413 00:25:01,140 --> 00:25:04,140 Oh no, no. 414 00:25:04,140 --> 00:25:09,140 The tiny Spirit say that he will be spared. 415 00:25:09,140 --> 00:25:11,140 Why? 416 00:25:11,140 --> 00:25:15,140 Did you hear that? He says if these shadows remain unaltered. 417 00:25:15,140 --> 00:25:17,140 That's a big if. 418 00:25:17,140 --> 00:25:20,140 And that means they could still be altered. 419 00:25:20,140 --> 00:25:22,140 Tiny Tim's fate can be changed. 420 00:25:22,140 --> 00:25:24,140 He can be saved. 421 00:25:24,140 --> 00:25:27,140 There's an opportunity here for Scrooge. 422 00:25:27,140 --> 00:25:29,140 And there is an opportunity for us too. 423 00:25:29,140 --> 00:25:33,140 If we open our eyes to the present suffering of the world, 424 00:25:33,140 --> 00:25:38,140 we will also see present opportunities to alleviate that suffering 425 00:25:38,140 --> 00:25:42,140 because God has placed each of us in a certain place 426 00:25:42,140 --> 00:25:48,140 and in a certain time in this moment to meet the needs that we see. 427 00:25:48,140 --> 00:25:50,140 It's like what Paul writes to the Galatians. 428 00:25:50,140 --> 00:25:58,140 He says, so then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone. 429 00:25:58,140 --> 00:26:02,140 The question is, will we take the opportunity? 430 00:26:02,140 --> 00:26:04,140 You know, some of you know this, 431 00:26:04,140 --> 00:26:06,140 but there's about a hundred families here at Trinity Streetsville 432 00:26:06,140 --> 00:26:10,140 who have sponsored children and families in our partner community 433 00:26:10,140 --> 00:26:13,140 down in the Wever Frontera in Honduras. 434 00:26:13,140 --> 00:26:17,140 And that means that every month they send financial resources. 435 00:26:17,140 --> 00:26:18,140 They send their prayers. 436 00:26:18,140 --> 00:26:22,140 They send gifts or notes down to these children and their families. 437 00:26:22,140 --> 00:26:25,140 It's actually a huge outpouring of generosity 438 00:26:25,140 --> 00:26:28,140 and one that we don't talk about nearly enough. 439 00:26:28,140 --> 00:26:30,140 But why do they do it? 440 00:26:30,140 --> 00:26:31,140 I'll tell you why they did it. 441 00:26:31,140 --> 00:26:35,140 It's because on the one hand, they saw the needs of the world, 442 00:26:35,140 --> 00:26:42,140 but on the other hand, they also saw their opportunity to meet those needs. 443 00:26:42,140 --> 00:26:45,140 And you know, this Christmas, we want to give all of you 444 00:26:45,140 --> 00:26:50,140 an opportunity to meet real needs in our community. 445 00:26:50,140 --> 00:26:53,140 We're inviting you to give generously to the open door 446 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,140 and their work with the poor of our own city. 447 00:26:55,140 --> 00:27:00,140 We want you to give generously to the dam and their work with at-risk youth. 448 00:27:00,140 --> 00:27:03,140 We want you to bring your donations of toiletries 449 00:27:03,140 --> 00:27:07,140 so that we can give those to the Peel family shelter. 450 00:27:07,140 --> 00:27:10,140 We want you to give generously to Trinity's care fund 451 00:27:10,140 --> 00:27:14,140 so we can make sure we meet the needs of those in our own community 452 00:27:14,140 --> 00:27:17,140 and to give, of course, to Trinity itself 453 00:27:17,140 --> 00:27:23,140 so that we continue meeting the gospel needs of our community and our city. 454 00:27:23,140 --> 00:27:28,140 And you can make a donation to these causes by using the website 455 00:27:28,140 --> 00:27:31,140 or by using the envelopes that are in your pews. 456 00:27:31,140 --> 00:27:36,140 My hope is that we'll be like, not Scrooge, 457 00:27:36,140 --> 00:27:40,140 but we'll be like Scrooge's old fiancé, Alice, 458 00:27:40,140 --> 00:27:46,140 who saw the needs in her community and made the most of her opportunity. 459 00:27:46,140 --> 00:27:49,140 Do you feel more rested now, my dear? 460 00:27:49,140 --> 00:27:54,140 I do, bless your dear gentle heart. 461 00:27:54,140 --> 00:27:57,140 Alice, do you know me, darling? 462 00:27:57,140 --> 00:28:02,140 Never thought there was anyone like you left in the whole wide world. 463 00:28:02,140 --> 00:28:05,140 Cut me through, rip me liver from Delmeli. 464 00:28:05,140 --> 00:28:10,140 This is the happiest Christmas I ever had. 465 00:28:10,140 --> 00:28:15,140 We have an opportunity to make this a happy Christmas for others as well. 466 00:28:15,140 --> 00:28:18,140 But remember what I said at the beginning. 467 00:28:18,140 --> 00:28:19,140 Remember what I said. 468 00:28:19,140 --> 00:28:21,140 The present moment is fleeting, 469 00:28:21,140 --> 00:28:24,140 and our opportunities to do good are short. 470 00:28:24,140 --> 00:28:27,140 In fact, Scrooge notices something about the Ghost of Christmas present 471 00:28:27,140 --> 00:28:29,140 as they go through the evening. 472 00:28:29,140 --> 00:28:32,140 He's aging drastically, right? 473 00:28:32,140 --> 00:28:35,140 In just a few hours, he's gotten super, super old. 474 00:28:35,140 --> 00:28:39,140 Why? Because his time on the globe is very brief. 475 00:28:39,140 --> 00:28:42,140 In fact, it ends tonight. 476 00:28:42,140 --> 00:28:44,140 The ghost's short life, I want to say, 477 00:28:44,140 --> 00:28:48,140 is a reminder of the shortness of Scrooge's life, 478 00:28:48,140 --> 00:28:51,140 and it's a reminder of the shortness of your life too, 479 00:28:51,140 --> 00:28:54,140 and the importance of seizing the opportunities 480 00:28:54,140 --> 00:28:57,140 to help others while we can. 481 00:28:57,140 --> 00:29:00,140 So pay attention to the present moment. 482 00:29:00,140 --> 00:29:02,140 Why? Because in the present moment, 483 00:29:02,140 --> 00:29:04,140 that's where all the blessings are. 484 00:29:04,140 --> 00:29:07,140 In the present moment, that's where all the needs are. 485 00:29:07,140 --> 00:29:11,140 And in the present moment, that's where all the opportunities are. 486 00:29:11,140 --> 00:29:18,140 But finally, the present moment is also where Jesus himself is found. 487 00:29:18,140 --> 00:29:21,140 You see, Jesus never comes to us in the past. 488 00:29:21,140 --> 00:29:23,140 He never comes to us in the future. 489 00:29:23,140 --> 00:29:27,140 Jesus always comes to us in a present moment, 490 00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:28,140 in the present moment. 491 00:29:28,140 --> 00:29:30,140 And if we aren't living in the present, 492 00:29:30,140 --> 00:29:33,140 we might miss Jesus. 493 00:29:33,140 --> 00:29:37,140 When we focus too much on what has been, 494 00:29:37,140 --> 00:29:40,140 or we worry too much about what is to come, 495 00:29:40,140 --> 00:29:44,140 then we fail to see Christ here and now. 496 00:29:44,140 --> 00:29:47,140 Jesus says he is present in the faces of the hungry. 497 00:29:47,140 --> 00:29:49,140 He is present in the thirsty. 498 00:29:49,140 --> 00:29:50,140 He is present in the stranger. 499 00:29:50,140 --> 00:29:52,140 He is present in the prisoner. 500 00:29:52,140 --> 00:30:00,140 To not see the present needs is to not see the present Christ. 501 00:30:00,140 --> 00:30:04,140 Tiny Tim even goes so far as to say it, 502 00:30:04,140 --> 00:30:10,140 that he, in his need, is the presence of Christ to others. 503 00:30:10,140 --> 00:30:11,140 Listen to this. 504 00:30:11,140 --> 00:30:13,140 How did little Tim behave in church? 505 00:30:13,140 --> 00:30:15,140 As good as gold and better. 506 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:18,140 Somehow he gets thoughtful sitting by himself so much 507 00:30:18,140 --> 00:30:21,140 and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. 508 00:30:21,140 --> 00:30:23,140 He told me he wasn't going to feel shy 509 00:30:23,140 --> 00:30:25,140 if people looked at him because he was a cripple, 510 00:30:25,140 --> 00:30:28,140 as it might be pleasant to them being in church 511 00:30:28,140 --> 00:30:30,140 to remember upon Christmas Day 512 00:30:30,140 --> 00:30:34,140 who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. 513 00:30:34,140 --> 00:30:40,140 Tiny Tim becomes a symbol of Jesus Christ for others to see. 514 00:30:40,140 --> 00:30:44,140 But actually, this whole family becomes a symbol of Jesus Christ 515 00:30:44,140 --> 00:30:45,140 for Scrooge. 516 00:30:45,140 --> 00:30:46,140 In fact, consider this. 517 00:30:46,140 --> 00:30:50,140 Do you know that the word cratchet comes from an old English word 518 00:30:50,140 --> 00:30:55,140 cratch, which comes from an old French word crèche, 519 00:30:55,140 --> 00:31:00,140 which of course is the manger where the Christ child was laid. 520 00:31:00,140 --> 00:31:03,140 So do you want to see Jesus this Christmas? 521 00:31:03,140 --> 00:31:05,140 Do you want to visit the manger? 522 00:31:05,140 --> 00:31:07,140 Don't look over there in that manger. 523 00:31:07,140 --> 00:31:08,140 That's not where he'll really be. 524 00:31:08,140 --> 00:31:11,140 Look to the needs of the world, right? 525 00:31:11,140 --> 00:31:15,140 Because that is the crèche where Jesus still lays, 526 00:31:15,140 --> 00:31:18,140 waiting for us to find him. 527 00:31:18,140 --> 00:31:24,140 And just like Scrooge wasn't left alone to learn these things 528 00:31:24,140 --> 00:31:27,140 or to do this work, we too are not alone. 529 00:31:27,140 --> 00:31:32,140 God has sent us a ghost, the Holy Ghost. 530 00:31:32,140 --> 00:31:35,140 He sent us a spirit, the Holy Spirit, 531 00:31:35,140 --> 00:31:40,140 to show us the needs of the world and to help us to respond. 532 00:31:40,140 --> 00:31:43,140 In fact, I actually believe that the ghost of Christmas present 533 00:31:43,140 --> 00:31:46,140 is supposed to symbolize in some way the Holy Spirit 534 00:31:46,140 --> 00:31:49,140 because at one point when he's flying around with Scrooge, 535 00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:51,140 showing him the joy that people have 536 00:31:51,140 --> 00:31:54,140 and the generosity people have, the Spirit explains, 537 00:31:54,140 --> 00:31:57,140 they all know me. 538 00:31:57,140 --> 00:32:00,140 People who know joy, people who know generosity, 539 00:32:00,140 --> 00:32:06,140 know the Spirit because God's love has been poured 540 00:32:06,140 --> 00:32:11,140 into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. 541 00:32:11,140 --> 00:32:14,140 Or like Dickens puts it, 542 00:32:14,140 --> 00:32:17,140 So is it true the child born in Bethlehem? 543 00:32:17,140 --> 00:32:19,140 He does not live in men's hearts only one day of the year, 544 00:32:19,140 --> 00:32:22,140 but in all the days of the year. 545 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:26,140 All the days of the year, the Spirit of Jesus Christ 546 00:32:26,140 --> 00:32:31,140 dwells in the hearts of his people. 547 00:32:31,140 --> 00:32:32,140 There's no time like the present. 548 00:32:32,140 --> 00:32:35,140 Now listen, God, atemporal, omni-temporal, 549 00:32:35,140 --> 00:32:37,140 intra-temporal, whatever, 550 00:32:37,140 --> 00:32:40,140 God's relationship with time is a mystery. 551 00:32:40,140 --> 00:32:42,140 Ours is not. 552 00:32:42,140 --> 00:32:44,140 We live in the present. 553 00:32:44,140 --> 00:32:46,140 The present is where all the action happens. 554 00:32:46,140 --> 00:32:48,140 It's where all the blessings happen. 555 00:32:48,140 --> 00:32:49,140 It's where all the needs happen. 556 00:32:49,140 --> 00:32:51,140 It's where all the opportunities happen. 557 00:32:51,140 --> 00:32:54,140 It's where we meet with God. 558 00:32:54,140 --> 00:32:56,140 But let me leave you with this thought. 559 00:32:56,140 --> 00:33:01,140 The present is not just a gift to you. 560 00:33:01,140 --> 00:33:05,140 It's also your gift to give. 561 00:33:05,140 --> 00:33:08,140 Every present moment is an opportunity 562 00:33:08,140 --> 00:33:11,140 to share God's love, to offer grace, 563 00:33:11,140 --> 00:33:14,140 to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to someone else. 564 00:33:14,140 --> 00:33:16,140 The present is fleeting, yes, 565 00:33:16,140 --> 00:33:19,140 but that's what makes it so precious. 566 00:33:19,140 --> 00:33:21,140 So this Christmas, listen, 567 00:33:21,140 --> 00:33:23,140 don't just look in the manger. 568 00:33:23,140 --> 00:33:27,140 Look to the people God has put in front of you and around you. 569 00:33:27,140 --> 00:33:28,140 And don't just celebrate the past, 570 00:33:28,140 --> 00:33:30,140 and don't just hope for the future, 571 00:33:30,140 --> 00:33:33,140 but step into the present, 572 00:33:33,140 --> 00:33:35,140 because it's in the present 573 00:33:35,140 --> 00:33:41,140 that God's love becomes real to you and through you. 574 00:33:41,140 --> 00:33:43,140 Thanks be to God. 575 00:33:43,140 --> 00:33:45,140 Amen. 576 00:33:45,140 --> 00:33:49,140 Thank you for joining us for this week's episode of Trinity Sermons. 577 00:33:49,140 --> 00:33:52,140 This sermon was recorded at Trinity Church, Streetville, 578 00:33:52,140 --> 00:34:00,140 Mississauga, Ontario on December 15, 2024.