Christmas

Once again it's nearly Christmas, all the running around decorating, the Tree, the buying of presents, advertising over-kill.  We got recently a catalogue from an electronics store full of gift ideas on glossy paper--hundreds of wonderful toys but doubtless very expensive; there was not one price quoted.  I think the store want people to rush in and max out their credit cards without paying much attention to the costs and this really disturbs me.  We as a society already overspend seriously on just about everything and we get so stressed out on trying to keep our heads above water.  People lose control of their personal finances so easily because there is so much demand on what they want  versus what they need.  Ergo the need--ever increasing--for food banks, soup kitchens, bankrupcy firms.  Charities ask for our attention as well.  Christmas kettles appear every year with people ringing bells, and we try to smile at strangers, try to remember what it's supposed to be all about.  We Christians have a special mission at Christmas.  It is our duty to keep the real meaning of Christmas front and foremost. 

Christmas is really Christ-mass.  It is to celebrate the birth of Christ, the coming of God to take on human form that his people might find eternal salvation because of his love for us, his people.  This is his gift for us.  Yes, we can remember to give to others that special gift and buy decorations and all the fixings for a big Christmas supper with our loved ones but let us not lose sight of the central meaning.  Otherwise it's all meaning-less and empty and just leaves us broke and stressed.  God bless us, every one.