The pressures of spending too much money can take on a worrying force, that would compel us to spend well beyond what common sense would allow. At times like these, when prudence is so easily abandoned, we can be left with the bitter taste of regret when we set about paying for our lapse of judgement.
Should Christmas really be like this?
If there is any joy to be found at Christmas time, it will be found where there are no lapses of judgement, where prudence remains in her place and where the driving force egging us to spend more, is held firmly at bay. This is no licence to be miserly or selfish, for truly, the self-absorbed disqualify themselves from ever coming close to knowing true joy.
The ultimate way to celebrate Christmas is to lay ourselves at the feet of Jesus. As the wise men of old, gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we too should offer not just our gold, but ourselves as well. If we could wrap our selfishness and anger in a parcel, and hand it over to Jesus, there would again be singing in the heavens as the angels express their wonder at the grace of God, and there would also be a little more peace on earth!
The tremendous message of Christmas is one of the marvels of history and cannot be reduced to a single truth. From small glimpses of truth as it is revealed to us, we can begin to build up a picture of the vast depths of the love and purpose of God for humankind.
On the High Street, where buying and selling reaches fever-pitch at this time of year, we dimly see an image of a far greater exchange made available to us. To begin to know forgiveness from God for the amazing price of belief and surrender, is the topmost must-have present anyone could wish for.
Happy Christmas!
