Thoughts from Howard

  

  

Scientists are looking for what has been termed ‘the God particle’, the infinitesimally small Higgs boson using what must be the largest and most technically advanced of all scientific instruments, the Large Hadron Collider at Geneva. When news broke that it might have been glimpsed, Professor Brian Cox, an eminent particle physicist said when interviewed by the BBC on December 13th. that this is key to discovering what gives mass to everything that exists. He enthusiastically explained how important this would be to understanding the origins of the universe.

Yet his passion was tempered by admissions that the Higgs boson is, and to paraphrase Professor Cox, only a prediction (albeit a 50 year old prediction) and that it might not exist but nevertheless it is a fundament part of scientific understanding and would confirm what scientists think happened one billionth of a second after the universe began.

There is something commendable about speaking with conviction and commitment about something which might not exist, and to do so with an assured confidence.

Having listened to the interview I wondered how those in Bethlehem received the news from unexceptional shepherds about the exceptional birth of the Saviour of the world. They too spoke with conviction and commitment and with assured confidence about finding God Himself, as baby in a manger – Immanuel, ‘God with us’, the One who was present before, during and after the creation of the universe.

Will the ‘God particle’ be discovered soon? Who knows? However, this Christmas can be a season of discovery. Discovering God revealed in the Christ Child, discovering that sins are forgiven by placing faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Compare the 50 year old tentative prediction that maybe the ‘God particle’ exists with the 2000 year old confident assurance that God has come to us in Jesus to be the Saviour of all who repent and believe in Him; then ask if in 2000 years time will any of today’s eminent scientists be remembered or have innumerable disciples as Jesus, or if Geneva will be more significant than Bethlehem.

May you be blessed this Christmas, not be material things but by the certainty and conviction that Jesus has came into the world to save sinners.                                         

Pause for Thought

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."  
Matthew chap 1 vs.21-23 [NIV]

10 …the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke chap 2 vs. 10-11 [NIV]

 

HLJ, December 2011.

 

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