We recounted in scripture and song the greatest story ever told. From prophesy to his birth, his teaching and his suffering, his resurrection and his invitation to join him on the greatest journey ever taken.

And a little child shall lead them. That’s what will happen this Sunday as the Twickenham Kids lead us through the story of Jesus. The exciting part is that you never know what’s going to happen when a group of children take the stage. Don’t miss it!

Even if he had come two thousand years later, one this is certain: He would have come in an unexpected way. He still does. We worship a God who defies expectation. He cannot be locked up tight in a system of science or theology. He will not be chained by tradition or convention. He routinely surprises us with his presence in the very places and at the exact times we least expect to find him.

The good news of Jesus’ birth wasn’t announced first in Caesar’s court or Herod’s palace. Not even in the high priest’s chambers in Jerusalem. It came first to a teenaged girl named Mary. A day laborer named Joseph. To a group of scruffy, anonymous shepherds. An old man named Simeon and to a widow named Anna. None of them were famous or powerful or known. But they were included. And that’s good news for us

The Gospel of Matthew begins the story of Jesus with a list of Jesus’ ancestors, some of them incredible heroes of faith. But there are a few skeletons as well – some of the most scandalous moments in Israel’s history. Why include the embarrassing relatives? Maybe that’s Matthew’s way of telling us that if there are some unlikely characters in Jesus’ past, there is room for some unlikely people in his future.

Have you ever heard of a child who said, "Wow! Christmas really snuck up on me this year." No. Christmas never catches kids by surprise. They live in anticipation of it as soon as they come down from the post Halloween sugar high. What would happen if you and I lived anticipatory lives? Joy. Joy would happen.

This will sound counter-intuitive – but if you have something you are willing to die for, you can have joy no matter what. The most liberating thing in the world is to become indifferent to death.

Guest speaker

In prison awaiting a sentence that could have included death, Paul was filled with joy. Why? Lots of reasons. But one of the biggest was this: He had people to love and people who loved him.