We have been speaking about mission for the past couple months. What is the connection between Christmas and mission? Martin Contant wrote this great paragraph to me yesterday:
While it is in a different gospel, I like how Eugene Peterson graphically describes the meaning of the incarnation-- John 1: 14 "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood" The focus of the [passage] is being the presence of Christ in our neighbourhoods and our workplaces. The incarnation of Christ, his becoming flesh means that we are now the flesh and blood representatives of Christ, also sent into our neighborhoods to be good news and share good news. Luke 10:1-12 gives us some seemingly strange but practical ways of doing that.
This Sunday Martin will preach on the wonderful event of Jesus sending out 72 disciples for mission – one of my favorite passages. You might like to read Luke 10:1-24 in preparation for the service.