Thought for the week (we 22nd December 2013)

I had to return an item I had bought to one of the larger stores and the young man who served me was extremely courteous and more than helpful.

He told me that he was hoping to go far in retailing and had been selected to go on a training scheme for store management. It was then he asked me what I did I when I said I was a Minister of a local church he seemed quite impressed.

Then with a look of real regret he said ‘I’m so glad for you Mr Jones, you can open on Christmas Day and we have to close on what could be the best money spinner of the year!’

For a moment I was lost for words, although I felt like saying ‘Young man get a life’ but I didn’t! So I thanked him, wished him a happy Christmas and said that we were indeed open on Christmas Day at 10am and that he was welcome to come along!

Could it be that by now we see Christmas as just a frenzy of spending especially in these last few days with such a frantic rush to the tills?

Christmas, of course, has little to do with what we see in the shops and the TV adverts which try to squeeze out our last penny. It’s rather the fulfillment of God’s promise given through the prophets of the Old Testament to his people who in the main rejected God’s law and love.

God however did not give up – finally when there was no other way he wrapped up his message and came in the Person of his Son. So this Christmas let’s unwrap God’s gift carefully and find, despite all the Xmas hype and distractions the baby Jesus born for us.

His love will dispel our fears and instill new hope in our hearts. He is the Prince of peace who speaks of love, peace and reconciliation above the turmoil and warring world of the 21st Century.

God’s richest blessing be with you and yours on this very special day!