This was written by a friends 16 year old daughter, showing wisdom beyond her years. Christmas, that time of year we both love and dread at the same time: the streets are aglow with extravagant light displays, shoppers rush and bump in a fight to the death for the best bargain on stocking stuffers, and the sound of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ on constant fries our brains. We gather the extended family on Christmas day and busily exchange a mountain of gifts (most of which will be exchanged or upgraded first thing tomorrow at the Boxing day sales), before sitting down to enough food to feed a small village of people for the next decade. It’s a ritual, and something that for most of us, this time of year would be painfully empty without. But in the midst of all the tinsel and trimmings, we can often forget what Christmas really means. As Christians, we find the true meaning of Christmas in the story of the nativity which is retold to us each year from when we are small children. It is a story which symbolises different things to many people, and it is remarkable that 2000 years after it took place in a little town on the opposite side of the world it still has a powerful meaning in our own lives. Striking, too, are the parallels of the story of Mary and Joseph with the story of asylum seekers here. It should inspire us to aide those wishing to seek asylum and refuge in our country, like the inn keeper did for Mary and Joseph. It should also remind us of the importance of compassion and empathy, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. For most, it is a story that inspires hope and reminds us to not only be grateful for what we have, but to give what we can to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It provides us with the opportunity to reflect and find peace, something many of us seldom get the chance to do in between the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day activities. But what about those who do not celebrate this period from a Christian point of view? In our society today, the season of Christmas is as much a cultural holiday as it is a religious one. Countless people with no connection to the church still gather their families at this time of year to each other’s company and take part in the spirit of the season. In some cases, even people from other faiths find themselves celebrating this time of year with those around them. This raises the question of what Christmas means to different people. It only those who believe in the story of the nativity who understands the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas? Or, is the true meaning of Christmas simply about giving thanks for what we have, regardless of our beliefs? When it comes down to it, everyone who celebrates Christmas really does so simply for the joy that the season brings. Christmas has a different meaning for each and every one of us, whether it’s a trip to mass and a starring role in the nativity play, tearing into presents on Christmas morning, or an enormous feast with our friends and family. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe, the season of Christmas is about giving and sharing. People do Christmas in their own way and if Jesus were born today, there’s no doubting he’d be pretty impressed with it all.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 21:29:08 +0000