The Father has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the World (1 John 4:14 NIV)
What does Christmas mean to you?
For some people, the word Christmas means, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings, presents, a time for holiday and family, a time for parties, and getting merry.
For others, Christmas is a time of overspending and getting into debt, overindulgence and the pressure to make it perfect.
It is a sad fact that for some people it can also be a time of intense loneliness and full of family arguments. Suicide rates go up, marriages fall apart and parents are under extreme pressure to buy the right presents for the children.
All this is a far cry from the peace and harmony that God wants for us.
Today, Christmas has become so secular and commercialised. Bombarded with advert after advert, months before the event, telling us the must have products this Christmas. Children are brainwashed into believing that without these presents they will be picked on at school.
There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, but don't get sucked into buying food and drinks you don't need.
It doesn't matter if the dinner isn't up to your mother's standard or your presents are small. Time together is more important than presents.
Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
God's precious gift to us all. This is what is at the heart of Christmas. Sadly over the years this truth has got lost and swallowed up in this commercially driven world.
This Christmas let's take time-out to remember the birth of Jesus and all that it means to us. To give thanks and rejoice in the King of Kings. To share with others this wonderful gift God has given to the world.
The greatest and most expensive gift the world will ever know, and it cost us nothing for it is freely given by God's Grace and Mercy.
Heavenly Father we want to thank You for the wonderful gift of Your Son Jesus to us. Help us to share this Truth to all our friends this Christmas, so they too may come into a relationship with You. Help us Lord to remember those who are homeless and in poverty. To show them your love this Christmas in a practical way. Amen
Closing Thought
There is no need to get unnecessarily 'Religious', around Christmas time. Jesus came to give us relationship not religion!
So let's continue to enjoy the year-round abundant life that God has given us.
(c) 2006 Phil Russ
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