Saving Christmas

By Rev. Kate Whiting Minister of QE Park Baptist Church

When my daughter was little one of her favourite activities was 
cutting and sticking. One Christmas she presented us with a collage of pictures 
cut from catalogues to show us what she was hoping for at Christmas.

On examining this wish list in detail, I realised that it had been compiled solely from the Argos catalogue (although other catalogues were available). I don’t really enjoy shopping, and so I was delighted to think that my job was going to be relatively simple. However, I scoured my catalogue in vain! Upon further examination I was distressed to discover that the catalogue the preschool children were cutting up was three years out of date.

Today as we worry about shortages of turkeys, trees and toys this Christmas because of issues with global shipping containers, the lack of HGV drivers and shortages of poultry workers –the list of ‘crises’ goes on – perhaps we need to remind ourselves that there are more important things in life than material possessions. Many of the things that we can be grateful for don’t come with a price-tag and can’t be found in Argos or any other catalogue. Family, friends, our health, the crunch of autumn leaves, looking at a wonderful sunset all remind us that the best things in life really are free.

Family, friends, our health, the crunch of autumn leaves, looking at a wonderful sunset all remind us that the best things in life really are free.

Every day we have opportunities to value such gifts. We are of course all too often distracted by all our modern paraphernalia—the things that are anything but free. Countless studies have demonstrated that cultivating an attitude of gratitude is good for us in terms of our health, our emotions and our relationships.

Countless studies have demonstrated that cultivating an attitude of gratitude is good for us in terms of our health, our emotions and our relationships.

Why panic buy this November and December to stockpile things when you could plan to remember the good things of life, the things that really matter? Our insatiable desire for the newest gadgets, the latest mobile phone, the must have toy, and designer perfume can eclipse the real gift that Christmas was invented to celebrate.

It’s not the government’s job to save Christmas. It’s not your job to save Christmas. The real Christmas has happened. The gift of Jesus means that it is Christmas that saves.

The first Christmas found the newlywed couple Mary and Joseph with an accommodation crisis. The gift of a baby son, and having a roof over his head, was all they were worried about. Soon after his birth they heard from local shepherds, of all people, that their son Jesus was a gift to all humanity. Having learnt that he was this gift, and the bringer of peace, they chose the name Jesus, which means God saves. It’s not the government’s job to save Christmas. It’s not your job to save Christmas. The real Christmas has happened. The gift of Jesus means that it is Christmas that saves.

Church Office: 01483 235185
www.qeparkbaptist.org.uk