My friends were concerned when I admitted that I no longer
had a Christmas tree to decorate my home. Well, I am alone now and do little in
the way of entertaining, so what is the point?
Wonderful, caring friends! Father Christmas, looking
strangely like one of our churchfamily, arrived with a miniature tree, and set
it up for me, complete with a star and other decorations. It looked lovely, but
wait. He had not finished. The best was to come. He now showed me how to
operate the battery so that it became adorned with tiny lights.
So now, not only do I have my candle bridge standing on one
window sill, but my little tree on the other, both gleaming brightly into the darkness. Each
evening as night closes in they shine out into the night.
I hope my neighbours are reminded that Christmas is very
special because it is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Son of God,
Saviour of the world, and the Light of Life.
25th December. Christmas Day! It may not be the
actual date of Jesus’ birth, for shepherds might not have been out in the
fields in the depth of winter; and if the Wise men began their journey when the
star first appeared, they could hardly
have arrived to find him still in the manger. Those who nit-pick about such
details, perhaps miss out on the joy of knowing that the shepherds did hear the angels message and find the
holy child, and that the wise men did
indeed bring their gifts and worship him?
We may not know the actual date of Jesus’ birthday, but let
us not miss out on the glory of the message with concern over accurate details.
We too can rejoice with the shepherds and share the awe and worship of the wise
men and if we do this by sending cards,
giving gifts, or by putting up our decorations and trees and candles, most of all may we,
in whatever way we are able, let the light shine out from our hearts and
homes.
‘Oh, come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.’
