Christmas...a time for celebration

I like Christmas. It is a fun time, exchanging gifts, remembering the time when God gave Jesus to us...

But don't you ever stop to think, has Christmas been commercialized? If you're in America or anywhere around the world, go to your local Wal-Mart, or Target, K-Mart or any other Westfield shop and you'd see what I'd mean. Christmas carols are starting to play when you enter November, and even when you always say every year 'I don't want to get caught up in the Christmas rush', you do. You shop and shop and shop for Christmas, when you know in your heart that shopping wasn't the heart of it. Ultimately, what was supposed to be a relaxing and reflective time, has now turned into one of the busiest times of the year, whether it's shopping for Christmas, or watching the latest blockbuster film that you think will get nominated for the Oscars, or watching the football season on TV. Whatever, you do around Christmas, afterwards, you think, 'That was so hectic, I just need a holiday from the holidays'.

So here is the challenge for this year. Like the title of my post says, Christmas is meant to be a time for celebration, relaxation and reflection. Don't try to be the one who buys everyone the most expensive or humongous gifts, just because you're known for that. Try something different. Don't get the standard DVD, CD, gaming console game or things like that. Get something unique (or you can make something too!). Whatever the case, may it be a memorable time for everyone. It is a time for celebrating. Jesus coming to earth, living, dying and ultimately, resurrecting. Christmas, is the beginning, the start of something new. Something where you look back and say 'That was the Christmas when I changed my style, from consumerist to being caught up in the moment.' Hope has come, we need to keep remembering that death as died, and that Jesus is alive.

Noel, Noel, Jesus is alive.
Emanuel, hope is here tonight.
So go, and tell, the world that death has died.
'Cause Jesus is alive. Yea Jesus is alive. 

(extract from Josh Wilson's Christmas song 'Jesus is Alive')

Hope everyone has a very enjoyable Christmas.

See you all soon.

Jon.