The shelves in the shops are now laden with Christmas food and decorations, and radio stations are wondering when to begin playing Christmas carols. Christmas is coming, but is Christmas only a time for fancy food and parties, street decorations, and songs?
And does Christmas need to be an expensive time of the year?
Those badly affected by the floods and those on low incomes may not have the finance to splurge at Christmas. Some may not even have a home to sleep in. And price hikes are across the board so there can be a struggle for many to purchase the most basic items. Can we all still celebrate Christmas?
When I think about the true meaning of Christmas, the words of the Christmas Carol, Love came down at Christmas come to mind. These words were penned by Christina Rosetti back in the 1800s but are as meaningful now as when they were first written.
In the following lines of the carol, Rosetti explains what she means by the love that came down at Christmas. She says that it is lovely, divine, and incarnate, that it was a love that was born with the signs of a star and angels. These words point us to the birth of Jesus. Jesus’ birth is the central meaning of Christmas, no matter how much we add to it or neglect it.
Christmas is a time of great celebration that does not need to be expensive. Jesus, himself, was not born into luxury. We are told in Luke’s Gospel that Jesus was born in an animal shelter and then cradled in a feeding trough. The Biblical record tells us that his family was not wealthy, and as an adult Jesus had no home to call his own. He relied on the kindness of friends and strangers. At a young age, Jesus’ family was forced to flee from their home country to save Jesus’ life. In doing so, they became refugees. Those who have been so affected by the recent floods that they are now displaced and homeless will relate better to Jesus’ hardships.
So, how do we best celebrate the coming of God’s love to earth in the form of a human baby? Rosetti writes that love should be our token, love to God and neighbours. Love can be shown by helping a neighbour in need as has been seen recently with the floods. Love for another can be understood as coming from the love God puts in our hearts and is a response to our love for God.
At Christmas time we like to get together with friends and family and these occasions can stretch the budget, but we offer local activities to celebrate Christmas that are not costly. Our Christmas Festival begins in the church on Sunday, December 11, at 7pm with ‘Christmas by Candlelight’. In the hall there will be a community festival of the Christmas Tree and Santa’s workshop with handmade gifts.
We welcome all to join us.
Rev Michele Lees,
Echuca Moama Uniting Church Minister