The Meaning of Christmas

There's some certainty to the fact that whoever is reading this page is an adult. And there is a statistical probability that you may not even have time to read this devotional, be it today, or ever. Bottom line...everyone is busy! People are making frantic dashes to the market and shops for that last minute purchase and some of us might even admit to be filling out a Christmas card for someone whom we 'forgot,' and are slightly uneasy over the fact we've just received a card from them. In other words, it's all a big rush.

But somehow, tonight, in whatever country you live, a sort of magic will fall on each of us. Sure, we'll probably still be stressed; someone will be fretting over the big meal that must be made and you'll somehow endure the bumping and pushing in stores, but on the whole, the Christmas magic will do its work- Kindness, good will, sympathy, compassion, and charity, and a willingness to overcome the Scrooge that is in many of us.

Of course, I will have to acknowledge with sadness that the Christmas Eve magic soon fades. The week will pass in a bewildering and dazzling kaleidoscope of tinsel, carols, turkey with all the trimmings, stockings and presents, Trivial Pursuit and party games, sports on the telly, and for us here in England: Her Majesty's Christmas message. Shortly after, however, the decorations will go back into the box; life will return to normal and Scrooge reigns for another year.

But at least as Christians, we do know that there IS another sense of values in which true meaning is found. If only the magic which possesses us at Christmas could be made to last, what a different world we would have- instead of a world in which we long for peace and prepare for war; instead of a world where we constantly make excuses for our own personal failures; instead of a world in which there is plenty to eat and where millions perish for lack of food; instead of a world where we talk so much of love but hate reigns- ah, Christmas Eve beckons us on, not to rely on magic but on action. When we are willing to invite the mysterious Christ-child into our hearts we will find that the Christmas 'magic' lasts forever.Our Father, into this magical season of Christmas, we come to worship that little child whose nature revealed Your own and what ours might become. We pray that His spirit dwells within us that we may become His instruments in reaching to others. Amen

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