Christmas

Christmas Can you remember the excitement that you experienced as a young child as Christmas Day approached? I wonder if you prepared a list of your desired presents to give or post to Father Christmas? Perhaps you may have visited him in his Grotto in a department store? Then, on Christmas morning, do you remember how you may have felt when you unwrapped a gift and found that it was what you were longing for? I wonder what gifts you may be hoping to receive this year?

As we grow up, our view and experience of Christmas changes. Whilst it is lovely to exchange gifts, it is the thought behind the gift and the person who gives it that really matters.

Although how we celebrate Christmas will be different for everyone this year, I believe that the meaning of Christmas is all the more relevant to us today. It is why, whilst recognising the challenges of our times, we can celebrate with comfort and joy, as the national advertising campaign of the Church of England has been communicating.

The late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, once said, ‘If I had given people what they wanted they would never have got the Mac computer, the iPod, iPhone and iPad.’ At Christmas, we celebrate that God has given humankind not what we want but what we need.

In Christ, God entered the darkness of our broken world to bring the light of His transforming love to all who welcome Him as the Messiah, Emmanuel, ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.’ (Isaiah 9:6). Fulfilling over 300 Old Testament prophecies, in the birth of Christ, God gives us what we and the world need – reconciliation and life with Him today, tomorrow and for eternity. This is why we celebrate, in whatever way we can this year, for in Christ we receive ‘tidings of comfort and joy’.

May you and your loved know the love, peace and joy of Christ afresh this Christmas and New Year.

Richard Jones