Christmas Today and Everyday

“Why is Lorraine writing a blog about Christmas in February?” I hear you ask. Would you prefer to read about New Year’s resolutions and holiday plans rather than Christmas? I wonder.

Is this how it is for you? Is Christmas now far from your mind or does the meaning of Christmas stay with you throughout the year?

Well, I have been thinking about Christmas and what Christmas means to me. God came to earth as a baby not just as a gift for Christmas day to be opened then cast aside but as a gift to be considered, received, treasured and utilised every day of our lives.

The joy and peace that Jesus came to bring us is not just for Christmas day but for every day of our lives.

We give a lot of time anticipating the coming of Christmas then poof Christmas happens and then we briskly move on into the New Year.

I have heard the phrase “It’s only one day!”. Is it really? All the effort and time and preparation for only one day. It doesn’t have to be just for one day. The lasting joy and peace can influence the rest of the year if we learn to appreciate the real meaning.

A song by Graham Kendrick captures very well what I am trying to communicate. See the lyrics below of the song ‘You Came from The Highest’

You came from the highest, reached down to the lowest, O what a message of love.

You came from the brightest, to light up the darkest, O what a message of love.

Heaven’s exalted King, Homeless and poor in Bethlehem

And we will sing your song, follow you forever

We will be your hands, reaching out again

Your song goes on and on, your laughter breaks the silence

The season of your joy, will never, never end.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, peace to the people on earth.

You came from the kindest, to suffer the cruellest, You are the message of love

You came from the purest, to die for the foulest, You are the message of love

Our God unrecognised, for ruined sinners crucified

In the bustle of main street, the noise and the concrete, make us your message of love

In the turmoil of nations, or a heart’s desperation, make us your message of love

Each step each breath we take, Yours is the love we celebrate.

So whatever you are planning and hoping for in 2023 I hope you may take a little time to reflect upon Christmas and the gift of peace and joy that God sent His Son Jesus down to earth to bring us.

This peace and joy, is not just for Christmas day but for every day of our lives for us to receive and then share with others.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13