Christmas time
It is that time of the year again.
My mind thinks of the year past and how quickly it has passed.
On Tuesday of this week I was thinking about a song which John Lennon wrote about Christmas and one line sprang to mind "And so this is Christmas and what have you done, another year over and a new one just begun".
Too often we look at Christmas as just a time for presents and maybe a little self-indulgence that leads to over-eating and a hangover.
Christmas is a time for new beginnings.
The first Christmas with the birth of Jesus was a present that was awaiting opening.
Sometimes gifts are not recognised and they go ignored.
Generally gift-giving is the thing that most people enjoy about Christmas.
Ask any child what is the best thing about Christmas and invariably they will reply "presents".
Too often though this is the sole focus for each of us, presents, gifts or things.
It is true that Christmas is a time for presents but often we overlook the greatest present of all.
The gift from God of the person of Jesus Christ.
Many of us though leave this present "under the tree".
We leave it untouched and unwrapped year after year.
May each of you unwrap this present this year and find true peace; contentment and happiness.
May this Christmas serve to remind us all that there is a continuum of experience. The experience of joy and sorrow that has been experienced by "God with skin on".
In reality, gift-giving is a part of the Christmas celebration, the celebration of that splendid event 2000 years ago.
This Christmas let us all take some time to remember the true Christmas gift from God, the Christ child.
This Christmas celebrate the birth of Christ and may we all then experience Gods blessing.
Shalom
Craig Munnings, Phegans Bay