Everyone stands condemned if left to their own credentials. There is one safe place: the Lord Jesus, raised on the cross for our sins and raised again to life to provide us eternal life.

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the genius of God on display. God came as a child, vulnerable and humble, and called the unlikely ones to follow Him.

John's message, Jesus Himself, is radical and it changes everything. Do our practises replace our true purpose, to enjoy a restored relationship with God? Only through Jesus can we be in His presence.

John's testimony calls us to prepare for Lord's return - it is good and right that we prepare ourselves with true repentance. Forgiveness is ours. God has done all that is necessary to wipe away all our sin. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

God has come for everyone, He loves everyone: Christmas is a snapshot of God. God has entered into history for all to see.

Jesus stood like a priest between God and humanity and did everything necessary to bring the two back together. The best that we can do in response to all of this is worship Him.

In Jesus we have the presence of God, we have the forgiveness of God, we see God in His grace and truth.

The Gospel is a story of tragic rejection, are you willing to live in such a story? The Gospel is a story of marvellous acceptance. Are you willing to part in this story?

There are many competitors for our affections and our loyalties. As we look to Christ alone as the true light we will find ourselves breathing in the atmosphere of Christ's love.