Yes, it’s that time of year
again. There are pressies to buy, cards to write and decorations to retrieve
from the loft. Then there’s the tree; do you go for a real one, or the thing
you bought from Woolies years ago? Better not forget to order a turkey for the
Big Day. Wonder what’s going to be on telly? A Doctor Who special, I guess and
other seasonal treats. And then there’s the music. Stuff about sleigh bells,
snow and Santa. “‘Tis the season to be jolly”, and we invest a huge amount of
time, energy and dosh into making sure that Christmas is the happiest time of
all.
“I wish it could be Christmas
everyday” hollers the old Wizard hit. But who apart from wide-eyed little kids
really thinks that? Once a year is quite enough, thanks. Anything else would
drive us crackers. Yes, it’s fun while it lasts. Family gatherings, giving and
receiving gifts, and a slap up Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. What’s
not to like? But doing it all again everyday? “Let it snow, let it snow, let it
snow...” in July? Maybe not.
In any case, even with all we
throw at it, the joys of Christmas fizzle out all too soon. Perhaps that’s
because we’ve forgotten the “reason for the season”. We all know that Jesus
wasn’t in fact born on 25th December, but that’s the date on which we
traditionally celebrate his coming into the world. His birth was announced by
the angel of the Lord to some unsuspecting shepherds. They were rather startled
at the sight of the angelic being, but he reassured them, “Do not be afraid. I
bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the
town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord.”
The birth of Jesus was an
occasion of great joy because he had come as the Saviour. There is a direct
line between Christmas and Easter. The Son of God came into the world as a
human being in order to die on the cross for our sins and rise again so that we
may be put right with God. The gifts we give and receive at Christmas time are
a pale reflection of the greatest Gift God has given to the world, “God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.” For those who receive God’s gift of
Jesus, the joy of Christmas is not just for everyday, but for eternity. Really.
See here for info on Providence and Ebenezer Christmas services.
* For Trinity and News & Views parish magazines
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