Tis the Season

Last time I posted I talked about focusing on what is important.  This is something which has very much been on my mind over the last few weeks, it is all to easy to get swept away with 'life' isn't it.  Society around you, tv and media, other people, yourself...  All these things can get in the way of what this life on earth is really all about, if we let them.

Tomorrow afternoon I am taking my last assembly in school before the Christmas break and the message which I really want to get over to the children is to focus on exactly what Christmas is all about.

Look around you, do you see what Christmas is all about?  You see trees and decorations, you see advent calendars and stockings.  The shops are full of food and alcohol, not to mention all the Christmas gifts which have taken over the shelves.  Children are getting dressed up for their school performances, others are waiting in anticipation for the Christmas TV guide to hit the shelves.

We're planning what we are going to eat, what we are going to watch, who we are going to see and what we are going to give them.  We are hoping that we are going to be given the things that we have asked for, or have hinted towards!  Christmas jumpers and hats are back in fashion and the Christmas DVD collection has been retrieved from the attic.  Have you seen Father Christmas yet, or booked your pantomime tickets?  Are you planning on going carol singing or are you thinking about locking the front door and turning the hallway lights off, just in case any carol singers are heading your way?

In the assembly which I am leading tomorrow, I am going to start off with the baby Jesus in his crib.  Then I am going to call up some children to represent Mary and Joseph, the Wise Men, the Shepherds.  Perhaps I will have some animals represented and will bring along a tree and some decorations.  Maybe we will throw some food in there and a pile of presents.  Then we'll get other children up to represent family and friends and some carol singers too.  Other things may be thrown into the mix as well, depending on what I think of at the time.

The point is, that with all of these people and things up the front, there is no chance you will be able to see Jesus in amongst it all.  A true representation perhaps, of how we treat Christmas today.  Where is the real reason we are celebrating this time of year- in fact, the only reason that we have this celebration at this time of year.  How high up on your list of festive priorities is Jesus?

It struck me, as a parent, that Christmas is a bit like watching everyone else celebrate your child's birthday, giving little, if any consideration to who your child actually is, who's birthday it actually is.

Strip all of this away, or at least tone it down a little and right at the heart of everything that's going on is Jesus, the Son of God.  A gift, for everyone.  A gift that can bring you peace and comfort, joy and blessing, a gift that can healing, the only gift that can bring you eternal life.

Just spare a thought, as you rush around to get ready for this Christmas time, for the actual reason why all of this is happening.  None of this stuff that we all get wrapped up in (excuse the pun) at Christmas time is bad but don't let it get in the way of what it is really about.