Someone once said that men are happy because they can buy 24 presents on Christmas Eve without getting stressed! Certainly, for most people, Christmas brings its stresses: a desire to make everyone happy may seem laudable but is impossible; the creation of that ‘perfect’ meal or the ‘perfect’ family gathering often causes more friction than pleasure; spending time with relatives sounds wonderful until the bickering starts and so on…
If we feel that Christmas is stressful, it’s worth pondering what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph in that bustling town of Bethlehem, overcrowded because of the Roman census, with no room to be found anywhere. Without the benefit of websites like www.lastminute.com, they must have felt the pressure of trying to find accommodation and were all too aware of the complications of the imminent arrival of a baby. I doubt they felt that the birth of Jesus was going according to their plans, which just goes to remind us that God’s ways are very different to ours. (Is 55:8-9)
In our consumer-driven society, with online shopping available 24/7, there is very little respite from consumerism to be found, even at Christmas. For many people, Christmas brings with it more chores than pleasures. But all that we need to celebrate Christmas is found in the person of Jesus Christ and all He asks is for us to be still and know that He is God. (Ps 46:10) When the shops are shut and the presents are wrapped and the food is prepared, let’s make sure we have time to be still and savour the wonder of God in human form. And if the presents aren’t wrapped and the food is delayed, as long as we have Jesus, it really doesn’t matter. Life, light, glory… all we really need is found here.
And by the way…
