Can you believe that another year is almost gone and Christmas is just days away?
What does Christmas mean to you?
I believe Christmas has got out of hand. We have lost our understanding of Christmas. People buy so many presents and get themselves into so much debt.
It’s not meant to be so chaotic. It’s meant to be a time when family and loved ones can come together and share in a meal and exchange a simple gift in awe of the greatest anyone could ever receive - Jesus the one who would take our place at Calvary.
Have you ever read the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas? It’s a really cool kids’ story that uses rhyme to tell the story. The Grinch hates Christmas and tries to put an end to anything that even smells or looks like Christmas.
It stems from his lack of understanding of the meaning of Christmas.
“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.”
― Dr. Seuss
The Grinch starts off with a very small heart. As the story continues and he finds out the true meaning, he finds joy and his heart grows three times as big.
When we discover the true message of Christmas, there is a change that occurs within. To realise that Jesus came to earth as a baby in order that we might discover that we were loved beyond measure is wonderful but then to know that Jesus died in our place on a cross so that we could find freedom, love and hope is life changing.
When we discover the true meaning of Christmas and actually find Jesus, our life is transformed in the most wonderful way. It is time to look again at Christmas and our understanding and realise that it has a simple message with profound impact on our lives.
Our prayer is that this Christmas you will discover the love and joy of the Christmas message. Don’t forget carols this Friday.
Major Yolande and Captain Joel Soper – Salvo Connect Church
