In the run up to Christmas we are considering the question “Why did Jesus come into the world?”. The new testament writers have a variety of answers: Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfil the law (Matthew 5:17) and to do the will of His Father (John 6:38) which was to seek (Luke 19:10) and save (1 Timothy 1:15) sinners and call us to repentance (Mark 2:17), so that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). He came to do this in word, by bearing witness to the truth (John 18:37) and proclaiming the Good News (Mark 1:38), and in action, by serving (Matthew 20:28) and giving his life (John 12:27). Because not everyone responds to the light that he brings (John 12:46), he came for judgement (John 9:39) and to be a divider of men (Matthew 10:34, 35). Let us therefore be those who step out in faith to live the abundant life which Jesus came into this world to bring us. This abundant life is, like the first creation very good (Genesis 1:31 – Sun Dec 1) and is something which we should not be distracted from like Martha (Luke 10:38-42 - Thu 5 Dec), nor miss out on because we refuse to accept that we are the sinners (Isaiah 59:1-4,12-16 - Sun 8 Dec) for whom Christ Jesus came into the world (1 Tim 1:12-17 – Thu 19 Dec). The abundant life that we have now is a foretaste of the eternal life that we will enjoy in the new heaven and the new earth (Isaiah 65:17-26 - Sun 15 Dec). This life eternal is based on loving relationships (1 John 4:7-21 - Sun 22 Dec) and is entered into through the gate of Jesus (John 10:7-10 - Sun 29 Dec).