CHRISTMAS can be stressful; you don’t need me to tell you that, but it’s good to step back to remember what’s at the heart of it. God came to earth as a vulnerable human being. The image of Jesus, born in the lowly context of a rough old stable in the backwater of Bethlehem, perfectly illustrates the love God has for you, me and the whole world.
I don’t routinely listen to Classic FM, but a friend told me they are playing a lot of traditional Christmas carols, so I tuned in. It’s been a joy to let words which encapsulate the deep essence of the season flow over me!
Hope seems to be scarce these days, but the coming of Jesus gives a reason for us to cheer! It’s like when an old, dilapidated building gets bought and the restoration crew moves in; suddenly there’s a reason to believe that things could get better. Jesus came to start that work of restoration of fallen humanity and it’s significant that our calendar dates back to that point. AD 2024 – that’s 2024 years after the birth of Christ (give or take). History pivots around the moment of Jesus’ birth. It’s so significant.
Some of the glory of the Christmas story has been lost though commercialisation and secularisation, but the truth remains. The power of the hope found in our Saviour is as strong as ever. He invites us to open our hearts and allow him to start to repair us.
In amongst all the trappings of the season, I invite you to take a moment to thank God for his incredible gift of his son. Worship him for a while, perhaps with an old carol, and ask him, through prayer, to restore you. Have a blessed Christmas!
