I recently seen this picture on Facebook of a tree that was so overcome with presents you could barely see the tree. And quite honestly it really made me stop and think…do people actually think that all this is necessary? Is this what Christmas has really come to mean? How many presents do kids or adults really expect, want or even need? How long would it take a child to open this lot? Would it bring as much excitement as it was opening the first gift?
And what does this all really mean? The Christmas message gets lost in a materialistic translation…God gave us the priceless gift… Now, where is Jesus in all of this? The approach that people often take today is that we expect God to come looking for us, to explain himself, prove who he is and give ‘us’ gifts… But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today, not for what they can get, but for who he is… We can sometimes get caught up in all the sparkle…...and that can be lovely too, but do we understand what God wants... do we really think of others or help those in need….and do we give them gifts or are we too busy with our own? ‘Christmas’…This year I was delighted to be part of the Christmas Story at Bangor Elim, this is something that I talk about ever year and is close to my heart…. it tells the true meaning of what Christmas is really about in “The Wonder of the Christmas Experience”… This amazing experience of walking through the streets of Judea on your way to Bethlehem, just like it would have been over 2000 years ago, meeting the Shepherds, Wise Men, and King Herod, in addition to a few others on the way… to hear the real Christmas Story, see how it would have been all those years ago… meeting the real ‘Jesus’, who is the greatest present anyone could receive this Christmas.. That’s what Christmas really means… This greatest story ever told has impacted our world for 2000+ years… and will continue to do so….
So this Christmas lets once again ask ourselves a few questions; What are you making Christmas about? How can we put the focus in the right place? How can we show God’s heart of love and grace, as He did that very first Christmas through Jesus? Let’s give our thoughts and love to the one who has given everything to us… a few presents for our families, but to others please give, please pray and please love especially to those people who are broken and hurting….
Have a Peaceful and Blessed Christmas.
“6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” - Isaiah 9:6-7
