mmmm Celebrating Christmas with Fruit Mince Pies mmmm
This year I am sharing these delicious pies with family in Sydney.
This pie traces its history back to 13th century Britain [1].
The pie spices apparently symbolise the gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus.
The original pie shape symbolises the manger that Jesus was born in.
There’s even Gluten-Free pies for my coeliac nephew!
Sydney has been smothered in bushfire smoke for the last 6 weeks.
The prevailing wind blows the ash from bushfires across the NSW coast.
Thanks to Climate Change, Australia’s experiencing severe bushfires in several states.
Sydney’s air pollution levels are amongst the worst in the whole world at the moment.
What appears to be cloudy weather is actually bushfire haze on the horizon.
I have been reading about different kinds of clouds this Christmas:
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14
Daniel was an Old Testament prophet who was given the ability to interpret dreams by God.
He had a dream about 4 beasts and interpreted these as 4 kingdoms.
He also dreamed about a king that looked like a son of man – a human king.
This human came from heaven riding the clouds like a chariot [2].
This man approached God – the Ancient of Days.
This king was given authority, glory and sovereign power.
People from all nations will worship this king.
This kingdom is eternal and will never be destroyed.
Contrast this with our current world with changing world leaders in different nations.
Elections in different countries result in new politicians promising prosperity to win votes.
Ordinary people are protesting in the streets against unpopular politicians and their policies.
Allegations of corrupt politicians and impeachment fill our TV screens.
So who do you trust in a world of uncertainty?
Daniel prophesied about Jesus – an eternal king who will return to judge the world.
This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So it shall be! Amen.”
Revelation 1:7
Christmas is about Jesus and the beginning of his eternal kingdom.
Jesus was born into a human family 2,000 years ago.
He preached that his kingdom was near and called people to repent.
He was pierced by nails on a cross where he died to save humanity.
God raised Jesus to life again as king of the universe.
He will return triumphantly and all nations will bow down to worship him.
Jesus is not promising prosperity but promises eternal life instead.
World leaders cannot cooperate to combat Climate Change.
The bushfire haze shows us that this world is only our temporary home.
Our permanent and real home is in heaven with Jesus.
Personally the smoky clouds in Sydney remind me that Jesus will return.
Questions to consider this Christmas:
Do you trust human politicians to save you from Climate Change?
Are their promises trustworthy?
How is Jesus different from human politicians?
For followers: do your family & friends know about eternity in heaven?
Footnotes:
[1] Wikipedia article “Mince Pie”
[2] Longman & Dillard (2007) An Introduction to the Old Testament (Inter-varsity Press)p396.
mmmm bible mmmm
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