Pop singer releases new song!

I am not even a fan of David Bowie! But he has released a new song. 
"So what?", you may say!

Is it a big deal that a pop singer is releasing a new song?

But this morning's news is making a big fuss over the release of a new album today, his 66th birthday! 

This is because he is no ordinary pop star! For his fans, and others who care about such things, Bowie is more than a pop star. I will leave them to expand on this at their leisure.

For many people, in the aftermath of Christmas, it will be more interesting that Internet sales were up by 18% than the fact that God sent his son into the world. It's not a big deal that a 'special baby' was born 2000 years ago.

John's Gospel reminds us of the underwhelming response of most people to this event of cosmic and eternal significance. 'He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognise him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.' (John 1.10-11) It is remarkable that people like us can so easily miss the biggest event in the world's history, because we are so easily taken up with our own little lives. However, in the mercy of God, some people do notice what God has been doing. Why some notice and others don't is a mystery and puzzle to me. 'But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.' (John 1.12-13)

All of us have to choose which side we want to be on - those who shrug at the birth of Jesus, and move on with our lives, or those whose lives get re-shaped and reborn, as children of the same God who sent Jesus for us all.

I am amazed that in God's mercy, I am a child of God. That makes all the difference to my everyday life. 

I am confident that Bowie's new song won't have that impact on me!

Best wishes,

Richard