hustle and bustle of ‘ getting ready ’ for Christmas ? What value can we bring to the people we serve here in Castlemilk Kings Park and beyond ?
Should I buy a huge amount of Christmas lights for the outside of the building , should I have ‘ Jingle Bells ’ playing constantly from the roof , or hire a Santa Clause to stand outside wishing people ‘ Merry Christmas ’, should I promise free presents to all who come to the Christmas services , or have a massive party with lots to drink and eat .
What should I wear for Christmas day , how much money can St Oswald ’ s spend on delivering the perfect Christmas ? What makes you want to be in church when you could be at the shops buying the perfect Christmas ? Answers on a post card please�
As a Christian I delight in telling the Nativity story to people old and young , that simple message of promise and surprise , of struggle and joy . A story for rich and poor alike , a story that brings a warm spirit when it is told .
I enjoy preparing for the days when the crib is set up , when the wise men make their way around the church and Jesus appearing in the crib on Christmas morning .
I love the children and adults lighting the advent candles and telling the story of each one . The church fathers , the prophets , John the Baptist , Mary , and last but not least Jesus Christ . His is a candle of pure white positioned in the centre of the wreath , exactly where Jesus belongs in our lives .
I enjoy making merry and celebrating the birth of Christ , and the slow lengthening of the days after the winter solstice . I enjoy being with family and remembering the year past , I definitely enjoy the feast , and my clothes becoming tight around the waist� .
However ; I don ’ t EVER write happy Xmas on cards or want to read that ! I delight in the fact that it is Christ ’ s Mass that we keep .
Not an x that in years past may have been short hand for His name , but now is just plain laziness . Let us as Christians make an effort to keep Christ in Christmas this year . Let us go and enjoy ourselves at the shops and parties , but never forget that Jesus the baby was born into poverty for a reason , and that He grew to be the man who gave a gift that saved us all from sin and death . That if we accept and receive Him as the most priceless gift in our lives then we are promised eternal life .
Lesley-ann xxx
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