As we enter the season of Christmas it is always good to remember the reason why we celebrate it. While it may be good to have a good excuse to see friends or family or receive and give gifts, the reason for celebrating is remembering the time when Jesus God’s gift to us all came to earth. We may have very different views about this event in history and all that went on around it. However, the reason why we celebrate Christmas is all to do with Jesus. For many, Christmas is a happy time and a time of celebration, for whatever reason people choose to celebrate it. For some it may be a sad or indifferent time depending upon their circumstances or well-being. We perhaps should be aware of the current climate in which we find ourselves not only in this country but all over the world, where Christmas or 25th December will look very different than last year or preceding years.
Every Christmas will have been different regardless of the traditions that go in in people’s homes or lives. Some traditions around Christmas are the glue that holds families together or gives an opportunity to meet up and share life and food together. Whatever Christmas 2024 looks like, whether spent with others or not, there are people who will be struggling in many ways. There will be those who find themselves in financial hardship because they want to celebrate together, who will make that sacrifice to make memories and give a sense of togetherness, hope and love. Christmas gives the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.
One of my previous churches gave out £6-£800 of Morrisons vouchers to the 2 local schools that they could distribute to families who were struggling. Every year the schools reported back to us that it made a massive difference in the lives of some of those children and their families. As followers of Jesus who himself was a gift to us, then perhaps we might want to do something to help others in some way. People seem more generous at Christmas time and the gift of giving is greatly appreciated by those who are blessed by others’ generosity regardless of how large or small that generosity is. I hope that this Christmas you are reminded of the gift of love offered to you and to all by God through Jesus. May you be blessed and may it be full of peace and love.
Every Blessing,
Rev Paul Welch
