For Unto Us a Child Is Born
There is a story that tells of a wealthy European family that decided to have their newborn baby baptised in their enormous mansion. Dozens of guests were invited to the elaborate affair, and they all arrived dressed to the nines. After depositing their elegant wraps on a bed in an upstairs room, the guests were entertained royally.
Soon the time came for the main purpose of their gathering: the infant’s baptismal ceremony. But where was the baby? No one seemed to know. The child’s governess ran upstairs and returned with a desperate look on her face. Everyone searched frantically for the baby. Then someone recalled having seen him asleep on one of the beds. The baby was on a bed alright, buried beneath a pile of coats, jackets and furs. The object of that day’s celebration had been forgotten, neglected and nearly smothered.
The baby whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas is easily hidden beneath the piles of traditions and cultural observances of the season. We need to enter every Advent season asking, “Where’s the baby?”
The ‘baby’ reminds us of God’s gift to mankind. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave…”. The joys of giving are often amplified during the Christmas season, a time when generosity and goodwill shine brightly. However, the spirit of giving should go beyond just a single holiday, it should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Whether it’s sharing a smile, volunteering at a local charity, donating to a worthy cause or simply offering a helping hand to a neighbour, the act of giving brings a unique sense of fulfillment.
Whatever your cultural, religious or personal beliefs may be about Christmas, may this Christmas season fill your hearts with peace, love and happiness. Let us cherish the precious moments spent with loved ones, spreading kindness, and embracing the spirit of giving. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may His blessings guide us through the coming year, filling our lives with purpose and grace.
Merry Christmas.
Pastor Andre
Chaplain