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Ezekiel’s message is carefully dated, he was a man of precision, so we can follow a time-line of his ministry. He probably thought his life had taken an abrupt turn when he was deported to Babylon, but he couldn’t have imagined what God had in store for him. The 31st July 593 BC must have started out like any other day.

On this final weekend of our short Christmas series, we turn to Luke chapter two in order to hear the third song recorded for us by Luke – Simeon’s song. It sings of the peace and satisfaction that comes from knowing that God keeps His promises.

An old priest named Zechariah was struck dumb for not believing the angel’s promise that he was to have a son. Zechariah learned his lesson; and when he found his voice again he sang a wonderful song of thanksgiving. So let’s turn to Luke chapter one and verse sixty-seven to rehearse Zechariah’s Song.

Well, I don’t know how fat your goose is getting, but Christmas is definitely coming. And for the next three weekends Pastor Terry Boyle is going to conduct us in some Christmas songs. But don’t expect any chestnuts roasting, or sleigh bells ringing. We’re going to be in Luke’s Gospel for the lyrics to these songs. We begin with Mary’s song in chapter one.

Who wants to go to a great big dinner party? Imagine the best meal you ever had, with the best company you’ve ever met, in the best place you could ever hope to visit. The supper of a lifetime. Who could turn down that invitation? You’d be surprised at how many turn down an even bigger offer, and you’d be amazed at some of the excuses they give. Your reservation awaits, the Lord has bid you to dine at His table.

“Lend a book and lose a friend” says the old proverb. That’s because borrowed books seldom get back to their rightful owner. And the rightful owner might easily begrudge the loan after a while, and the grudge will sour the friendship. Jesus taught a powerful lesson on forgiveness, and it isn’t limited to books or money. If we want God to forgive us, then we need to be in a forgiving frame of mind ourselves.

There are several parables that work with the idea of a master who goes away and then returns. In Jesus’ day, His followers would never have considered how to get along in His absence; they didn’t expect Him to leave. But Jesus knew that a day would soon come when He was no longer with them on earth to explain the plan, and these parables helped them to grasp that truth. As His servants, we should all want to know what is expected of us while we wait for Christ to come back. And when He does return, what will He find?

In this unusual parable, Jesus paints a picture of an unscrupulous scoundrel, and then appears to tell His disciples that the man had the right idea! Is embezzlement the way to go? Should we be offering backhanders to those who can help us get along? We have to pay close attention, but what Jesus teaches isn’t anything like that. Far from it. So what should we do with our money?

How does God feel about the wayward? Does He care about the rebel? Is His heart cold towards those who reject Him? Jesus told three connected parables that explain to us the way God looks upon sinners. Far from being dispassionate about the lost, He eagerly longs for their head to clear and their steps to turn towards Him. All heaven is poised to rejoice with the Father who patiently waits.

How should Kingdom people behave? It’s easy to be kind – even generous – to people we like. But in this most famous parable, Jesus reveals that compassion towards our friends is only part of the story. If we really want to live life as Christ would live it, we should show grace even towards our enemies. Too tall an order? Not for a certain Samaritan on the road down to Jericho.