It’s fast approaching Christmas, only a couple more weeks and life is very busy in Australia. School is out and I think every Mum in the whole area is shopping because it’s very hard to get a park these days at the local shops. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, but all the business and commercialism can drive you crazy can’t it?

I thought I would write and just point out the meaning of Christmas and remind you all of the reason why we celebrate. There are a lot of traditions which have built up around Christmas which are not wrong in themselves, (Santa, reindeer, tinsel, Christmas trees etc) and it doesn’t hurt to enjoy them, but they are merely icing on a cake. It’s the cake we really want to have. No one is really interested in eating icing on its own.

The word Christmas comes from two words, Christ and Mass. Mass is basically a fancy name for a Church service. So in other words, Christmas is really meant to be a time where we remember Christ, and celebrate what He did. People also often go to church to do this, but you can also do it at home.

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is singing the Christmas Carols. As you sing them this year, or hear them sung, listen to the words because they are full of meaning and truth. Many of the songs talk about how Jesus came as a baby to be the Saviour of the World. One of my favourite lines is in a song called "Little Town of Bethlehem" where is says in the first verse "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." This song is basically saying that in the night Jesus was born was the hope of the world. No matter what our struggle, sin or worry, we are able to find perfect peace and overcome because Jesus came to us.

That is the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating the best gift of all. Jesus.

If you have needs, hurts, worries or fears, remember that this was the reason why Jesus came as a baby. He came to help us and to save us. So don’t be afraid to get down on your knees, pray and tell the Lord how you feel, what is bothering you and ask for His help.

Bless you
Cheers
David