Christmas draws ever closer, how is it with you? Are you caught on a merry go round of parties, of worry over what gifts to buy, how to pay for everything, how to fit everything and everybody in?
Christmas can be such a stressful time in so many different ways. We are easily affected by the consumer orientated world in which we live in and we can be sucked into trying to meet the expectations of others, both can lead to deep dis-satisfaction and heartache.
Christmas is a wonderful time for friends and families to get together and celebrate.
I ask what do most friends and families celebrate?
Is the celebration only about the joy of getting together and sharing more gifts that we don't need or want? If so, then the joy will soon evaporate with the food and wrapping paper and the clearing up.
If it is all about children and friends and families getting together then what will Christmas look like for those who don't know any children, have any friends, or have any access to family?
On the other hand, if Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who came into the world as a baby and lived as a man, so that He could give His life as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we could have access to God through His forgiveness; then WOW wouldn't we have something amazing to celebrate? No need to max out the credit cards on unwanted gifts. No need to fret and worry about meeting the expectations of others. What sweet release! A New Year without debt! Joy and celebration every day, because the gift doesn't fade away!
It's wonderful to get together with loved ones to celebrate, when that is possible and desirable, but to important to remember to include those who are alone in celebrating the greatest gift the world has ever known, which is available to each and every one of us - PEACE WITH GOD - sins forgiven; HOPE of an eternal secure future; JOY in understanding God's GRACE and LOVE in meeting us at our greatest point of need.
Trimmings and trappings all have their place in celebrating, but, just as a birthday party needs a person with a birthday, and would be pretty pointless without him or her; so Christmas is pretty empty without the real central figure, Jesus not Santa.
How would your Christmas look this year without all the hassle?
Simply Susan
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