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Santa or Saviour.


Santa or Saviour




It is that time of year again where I reflect on the year just gone and where I also look ahead to the year that is to come. This year has been exciting and eventful, we have been blessed and as I look at 2018 I see great opportunity. It is though the season of reflection, so here are a few final thoughts for 2017, that I want all my readers to reflect on and maybe even act on;

Bells and Baubles are so prominent at the moment on our Christmas trees and in our shop windows. The glitter and the tinsel sparkle in the festive lights, seductively drawing us closer, enticing us to buy more to stash more presents under the tree. After all it's the season for giving, or is it.

Bells may ring and baubles dangle but Bethlehem is where my thoughts are at the moment. Not on giving but on sacrifice. Remember the sacrifice that Joseph made when he took Mary, already pregnant, to be his wife. Or the sacrifice, Mary made to reveal to her family that she was carrying a child, despite the ridicule and shame that would result from this revelation. The sacrifice that the Shepherds made to leave their flocks in the hills, at the mercy of predators, just to get a glimpse of God. Let us not forget God who made the ultimate sacrifice to give up His son to a sinful and forgetful world. Let us also remember the hundreds, if not thousands of people, who give up their day to serve us and keep us safe at this time of year.

Cakes, cookies and feasting, a time to be merry and happy what more could you want, but let us not forget that the king of kings was born in a smelly cow shed and placed in a cow trough.  As we rush to prepare our Christmas feast, or we sit in Church on Christmas day, let us remember there are many living on the streets of our cities that will be cold and hungry this Christmas season. If we can, let us spare a thought for them and if we can help, give them something to be happy and merry about, that they too may have full tummy's and warm coats and the warm glow of knowing Jesus as we do.

The morbidly obese guy in a red suit and huge bushy white beard and rosy cheeks, we call Santa, seems to be the centre of our focus right now. However, as we all know he is not the reason for the season, no matter how many Christmas movies that the film and TV networks churn out to get us to think he is. Jesus Saviour of the world was born to reconcile a sinful forgetful world to its creator; he began a journey that ended in the ultimate sacrifice.

Bells, baubles or Bethlehem, Cake cookies or a cow trough, Santa or Saviour, these are our choices at this time of year.

Merry Christmas everyone, be blessed, see you in 2018.


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