THIS IS CHRISTMAS

Today is the second Sunday in Advent and the second candle that was lit was for us to remember Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Today we commissioned Dave as an Elder of our Church and several people gathered round him and our other Elders, John and Susan, together with their spouses to pray, and to lay hands on Dave as he takes on this role.

There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the “laying on of hands” and this has its historical roots in the Old Testament. In those days it was often accompanied by anointing with oil, and was used to set men apart to serve God as a king or priest.

Afterwards we shared Communion together and then Dave preached an excellent sermon about Mary and women “Living on the Edge”.

Many people are "driven to the edge” because of the materialism of this Christmas season - and maybe we need to take a step back and think about why we do certain things.

Do we really need to send lots of Christmas cards? If you choose to do that, then I’m sure they will bless many people, but for others, choosing to give a donation to charity is something they prefer to do.

Do we need to buy expensive presents to show our family and friends that we love them?

Do we need to raid the shelves of the supermarkets and buy nothing but the best in the way of food - remembering that even in our own country, many are and will go hungry this Christmas?

Or do we need to ask God to speak to us about the meaning of loving our neighbour and the giving of ourselves to those who are lonely, hurting and bereft?

Please don’t think I am judging, but I believe that sometimes we need to “get back to basics” and remember what Christmas is all about.

A friend shared this song with me - This is Christmas - and the chorus says:

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?