Darkest hour v Johnny English strikes again

Recently I have watched two films. Gary Oldman does amazingly well in his portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill. Watching it just after Remembrance Sunday was very poignant. Johnny English strikes again is a completely different film with Rowan Atkinson at his hilarious best. Both films had something in common. There was an evil plot to take over the world. In Churchill’s time, many in Parliament did not want to believe that Hitler was so bad;

surely you could negotiate with him! Churchill’s reply, “You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth!” Bumbling Johnny English somehow saves the day from an evil terrorist. The hardest job he has is to convince the Prime minister of the villain’s intent.

Here we are in Advent, looking forward to Christmas. Advent means arrival of a notable person. During Advent we remember the coming of Jesus the Messiah, the Saviour, the hope of the world. Remember when Jesus was born, very few recognised him as the Saviour of the world. Only some shepherds, a few wise men, Simeon and Anna and of course Mary and Joseph.

The Christian faith talks about the second advent, in fact in the communion liturgy we are reminded, “Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again”. For two thousand years nothing has changed, and we may be lulled into a sense that Jesus will never come back. As I look at the world today it is obvious to me that we need some help; so often there seems to be so much bad that is happening and no way of changing it. Evil so often appears to be winning!

The promises of the Bible are clear. Evil may get worse, but the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will one day defeat evil once and for all. Life will never be the same. Pain and suffering will be over, and life will have meaning and purpose for ever.

May you experience more of God’s love, peace and joy during the Christmas season.