Happy Christmas to my readers

What can I say about Christmas which hasn’t already been said? Probably nothing! Yet as we celebrate the birth of the most influential man who has ever lived, I do want you, who read this blog, to be really blessed and happy this Christmastime.

Is Consumerism an idol?

Looking around, it would seem that we are all worshipping the god of consumerism, as we are encouraged to spend, spend, spend for months beforehand, and then to eat lavishly on the day. I have read several emails/blogs/Facebook-statuses about people who have abandoned the consumerism of Christmas and who try to make everything simpler. Certainly money can be an idol – but not necessarily. Our God isn’t mean, and enjoys being generous to us. As long as we remember what Christmas is all about and seek to truly celebrate Him, spending money in order to be generous in our gifts to others can bring blessing to us as well as to the recipients.

Charitable giving

People do give more to charities just before Christmas. It seems that every charity has a special Christmas appeal and many of them are reliant on the generosity of their contacts. Somehow it seems ‘right’ to give to charities at Christmas, as people realise that so many in their own communities, and throughout the world, are in great need.

For example, the church that I am a part of received generous gifts of groceries from shoppers at a local supermarket, which along with some luxuries donated by people from the church, enabled us to make, and distribute ‘hampers’, blessing lots of more needy families in our community.

O Holy Night

It came as no surprise to me that the carol, “O Holy Night” was voted the U.K.’s favourite carol. I really love this carol but it seems fashionable now to leave out most of the words. Christine and I are in a choir and sing a lovely arrangement of this carol – but again misses out some of the most important words. One verse particularly means a lot to me and I highlight it here. I challenge you, to read this verse over and again, and let the truths go through your mind and then to your heart.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

So in saying, “Happy Christmas”, I am also saying:

“May the Lord of Love bring you peace here and now,
and may you look forward to the future when all oppression will cease
and may you proclaim that His power and glory will last forever!” – George