Dear Friends - Christmas 2003

Christian greetings.

It seems each year that Christmas starts earlier and earlier and very much caricatured by the retail adverts.  On the positive side there is an opportunity to express good will to our loved ones, neighbours and beyond to the wider world in need.

What concerns many people is the focus on buy, buy, buy, that it has been said that "shopping does help us to create our own identities, as well as can be explained by the phrase "I shop therefore I am".   The African saying "We are, therefore I am", might be a better idea as it explains that we are an integral part of human community.  We want to relate to God and our relationship to fellow human beings is central.

We buy and yet we do not know why we need it !  The question we need to ask is "What am I giving this Christmas ?".  For those with young families, St Paul has an insight as to the best gift as he reminds us that we should endeavour to bring our children up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 1:4).  This kind of gift is for life, and parents are a major influence and they can support their children's spiritual growth. 

A keen interest needs to be shown in helping them read Christian stories at home as well as supporting their attendance at Church / Sunday School / Girls' Brigade / Boys' Brigade and other Christian events.  At Christmas we can invite our families and friends, some that may not have any church connections, and together we can learn the truths and mystery behind the first Christmas.

Christmas will long have forgotten its meaning if we forget to reach out to those who are older or lonely and spending it alone, or those in need.  In fact you and I can be a Christmas 'gift' as we make a difference through caring and practical support to people in need.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and that you will experience the love of Christ in your homes and families.

Yours sincerely in Christ

Jerome Munyangaju