Christmas
In the papers and on the radio this week there has been a variety of theories about the Christmas story. However, does it really matter if there were three kings or an indeterminate number of wise men? Who cares whether it was December or June? Surely what is important is that all Christians set aside a designated day and as a group celebrate the wonderful gift given to us by God – give thanks for the birth of His son the Lord Jesus Christ, whenever it was.
The future for which this baby was destined was totally unimaginable at the time, we are told Mary heard the prophecies and pondered them in her heart. Even now it is hard to comprehend that He came purely to die for our sakes, to propitiate our sins, that we might have a place in heaven. This gift is so glorious, so undeserved, so momentous that we should be shouting it from the rooftops, we should never stop expressing our gratitude and constantly be spreading the Good News. We Christians have become very timid and too scared of offending, whilst obeying the Scriptures and not proselytising it is possible to proclaim one’s faith in the most mundane of everyday activities.
Look at the television schedule for Christmas evening and you will find, among the soap operas, ubiquitous reality shows and sport, a documentary finding similarities between the virgin birth and the life of Christ and those of Krishna, Mithras and even Buddha. It airs the idea that Jesus actually avoided crucifixion and lived to old age in the Himalayas. Would Muslims tolerate a programme debunking Mohammed during Ramadan (or at any other time!) why should we accept such treatment of Christ? Let us claim Christmas back from the cynics and those who have commercialised it. Let us use the day to tell everyone we meet how privileged and grateful we are that God loves us and sent His only begotten Son to be our Redeemer.
