Once again Christmas is nearly upon us, and what a wonderful time of the year it is. I love everything about Christmas from sending Christmas cards, the Christmas tree, enjoying all the special Christmas type food, giving and receiving Christmas presents, watching the Christmas shows and films on television, time with family and friends.
I have such wonderful memories of Christmas when I was a child. How excited I would be on Christmas eve and then waking up to the thrill of opening my presents on Christmas morning. It was such a special time to be surrounded by the love of my parents and sharing that experience with them. As I got older I had children of my own that I could share this special time with and I look back with very fond memories of Christmas with them. Now I'm a bit older, I still love every bitofChristmas as much as I ever did. It saddens me when I hear people say they will be glad when it's all over and Christmas is not what it used to be. To some extent Christmas for many has changed. It is more commercial; people get stressed and spend too much money they can ill afford to do. Many people have lost sight of what Christmas is truly about and that is why they have started dreading it rather than enjoying it.
For me Christmas has always been a celebration of the birth of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God's wonderful gift to man, Jesus His son. It was because of the birth of Jesus, His life and ministry that we have hope today and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. That's why I and millions of other Christians celebrate Christmas.
One of the highlights of Christmas is attending a Christmas carol service, or the Christmas morning church service, but I particularly enjoy watching the nativity play. This reminds us so clearly the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus
How wonderful it must have been to be one of the shepherds visited by the angel of the Lord and being told "Don't be afraid, I am here with good news for you, which will bring joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your saviour was born- Christ the Lord."
Immediately after the angel had spoken we are told the most amazing thing happened when suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared singing praises to God. It must have been the most spectacular event the shepherds had ever seen or heard.
So this Christmas let us once again wonder at this marvellous gift to man from God and give Him the praise and Honour.
God bless you all and have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.