As we head into Christmas it is very easy to get caught up in the hype of the season.
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Last week on Facebook someone asked how much people were going to spend on presents this year.
The answers were astounding. Everything from a few hundred dollars, to a few thousand.
It made me think about some of the families I have visited this year and the conversations I have had with them.
While our farmers are a resilient and stoic bunch, many are still finding life extremely tough.
They have barely enough money to provide the essentials for life, let alone money to throw away on extravagant gifts. And many other families in our community are also struggling.
As I have been preparing services for Christmas I am constantly reflecting on the scriptures and the simplicity of Jesus’ birth.
It is a story filled with beautiful, ordinary people. A young couple expecting a baby, forced to travel about 70 miles over rough roads, walking and using a donkey to complete a census.
They arrive at their destination and find they have to sleep in a barn, and when their child arrives, wrap him in bits of cloth and place him in a borrowed manger.
No fancy bed, no fancy clothing. It’s a pretty humbling start for the baby who grew up to be the saviour of the world.
Years ago I read a story about a family who celebrated Christmas every year with a birthday party for Jesus.
They had a cake with candles, sang happy birthday and had an extra chair at the head of the table to remind them of Jesus’ presence.
One Christmas afternoon a visitor asked their daughter if she got everything she wanted for Christmas.
She hesitated and then said, “No, but then it’s not my birthday.”
Jesus’ coming gave hope to the people of his time, and through the power of the holy spirit, gives us hope for the future.
We have a special reason to celebrate on December 25 - it’s Jesus’ birthday.
May our preparations for this event help us to focus on those who have little but still find a reason to celebrate, and may our lives reflect the spirit of love and caring for others that is our greatest gift each Christmas.
Rev Jo-anne Smalbil
Uniting Church
Christmas services
Sunday December 21, 9am.
“Empty Christmas Tree” Service.
Bring an envelope with a cash donation, to hang on the empty tree.
These will be forwarded to UnitingCare.
Sunday December 21, following 9am service, Special ‘Bring & Share’ Christmas Morning Tea.
Thursday December 25, 9am, Christmas Day Service led by Rev Jo Smalbil.
