OUR SAY

	Christmas is Christ Alive!

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN shopping, partying and merry-making. It is more than giving and receiving presents – and attending the Christmas Day service.

                Christmas is:

                First of all, giving of oneself to Christ, for without Christ, there is no Christ-mas;

                Giving of oneself to the service of Christ;

                Loving our neighbours (not always easy);

                Loving those who hurt us (very difficult, but we should try);

                Giving generously to charities;

                Helping to serve the needs of the poor, the marginalised and the sick;

                And much, much more …

This has been said before – there is nothing wrong with shopping for presents for loved ones, friends and colleagues. In fact, it resonates with the spirit of Christmas.

But things get out of hand when we rush around for very expensive presents for only our loved ones and ourselves. Stop the madness. Stop the frustrating pursuit of the “perfect present”. Stop shopping till we drop. Have we forgotten that we have already received the greatest gift – Christ Himself?

And why think only of ourselves and our loved ones? What about gifts for the poor and the underprivileged?

A little teddy bear will bring great joy to a girl in a charitable home. A Subway sandwich will be gratefully appreciated by a resident in an old folks’ home. Spend some time chatting with these people and see how their faces light up with double the joy.

Gifts aside, there are so many everyday things we can do to bring joy to others. Helping a blind person with a white walking stick cross busy Orchard Road can help him “see” Christ; buying three packets of tissue paper from a limping man can help provide him with a meal; buying a bowl of noodles for a penniless man at a food centre will make his day.                                                  

Christmas, then, can be summed up thus:

§  Caring for all, not just our loved ones;

§  Hope for the lost and lonely;

§  Rest for the aged and the infirmed;

§  Inspiration for all those who share God’s Word;

§  Success for those who struggle against all odds;

§  Time (quality) for loved ones;

§  Making time also for friends and strangers who need help;

§  Always remembering the reason for the season;

§  Sharing our blessings and love with everyone, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

                Christmas is Christ Alive! Merry Christmas!