Early in November, I was on retreat, a time set aside to prayer and reflection, a time to slow down and just be quiet with the Lord. In our busy lives, we seldom find that important time to gather our thoughts to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. While many large commercial retailers are keen to borrow Christmas for their own purpose, many are also shy to admit the reason behind the festivities. Many focus on sparkling Christmas trees, bright decorations, jolly Santas and dazzling coloured lights, however, the true story about the greatest event that changed the world forever is lost.

The Church’s liturgy of Advent and the Nativity has a hard time competing with larger and louder signs and symbols. As we recall the events of two thousand years ago, Mary and Joseph were also competing to find shelter, competing to find solitude, and competing to find a welcome. As Mary and Joseph welcomed their newborn baby Jesus into the world, competing against the hardships of life would be a familiar path. At Christmas, we celebrate the love of God has for us in the person of Jesus, and in that love, there is no competition to be the best, the strongest, the fittest or the brightest, just a heart willing to accept that Jesus is truly the Saviour of the world.

“What is GOD like?” is the most basic question facing anyone who attempts to worship Him.

People have tried to find God in many ways.

Some civilizations believed to find God in animals. Some others in mountains and some claim the universe is God. However, what is God like isn’t a mystery anymore. God has revealed Himself to us. In Hebrews 1:3 "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being”.  At Christmas, we celebrate God coming to earth through the virgin Mary. God is like Jesus.

Singer /song writer Don Francisco wrote these words called the Christmas song.

“Centre of the ages the Lord talks to a girl, and by the words He speaks He gives a saviour to the World

He didn’t come to terrify to judge or condescend, to call us all His servants, but to lift us up as His friends.  To save us all from Satan’s power, to reign at His right hand.

The little Town of Bethlehem when God became a man.”

We pray you all have very  happy and safe  Christmas.

It’s amazing the ends love will go to.  God’s Son left heaven and entered our broken world to die as the Saviour so we could be part of his eternal family. Jesus has changed countless millions of lives ever since. No wonder it’s an event that has been celebrated for the last 2000 years. What’s the right response to Him? Simply treating Him according to who He is, through trusting Him as King and Saviour in your life. May you know the joy He brings, this Christmas, and always!

Christmas? We find ourselves strangely looking forward to some ‘blessing’, ‘time’, fulfilment’, or ‘peace’.  That’s how it’s supposed to be isn’t it?  Why do we hope for peace and personal joy at this time?  The true reason is found in ‘Christ-mas’; that Christ, God’s special King, came into our world; That Jesus was born, did die, and yet still lives, that people all over the world like you and I might have hope, and not despair.  There is peace and fulfilment in trusting Him.

John Lennon asked us to imagine a future of peace where people lived in harmony.

I would like you to imagine your life if Peace had already come.

Messed up with your family, your work place, your friends? What else? Imagine one who could help you sort all of this out. And you don’t need a special invitation, you just say ‘Yes, I want that please Jesus.’ Why not try it and see? The angels did say the point of Christmas was Glory to God and Peace to People. Why not take it?