I put Christmas images into google images just a sa starter. You get a list which includes santa, snow, christmas tree, reindeer, turkey. stars - the list is endless but scroll down it and see if you find nativity, jesus, wise men, shepherds, or anything associated with what Christmas is really about. You've got it, not a thing! Undetered I pumped in nativity and yes a whole list of things came up but on following the links they all led to places where you have to pay! Now I am very happy to pay for good images, but began to feel that something unhelpful is going on.
Is this all just symptomatic of our current age and culture, where the idea of having Jesus Christ at the centre of this celebration is, for most just a slight distration from the main thrust of party and presents? At the same time we hear of so many who hate Christmas because of their past, maybe a loved one died close to a previous Christmas, or some other family issue that has left them hurting at this time of year. The big question for me is how do we help people to see Christ at Christmas, not just the baby, but the Son of God who changes lives, who speaks into our lives and desires a relationship with us?
Yet another aspect to Christmas are the many people who go out of their way to do things for others, give up their own comfort to help at a homeless shelter or similar. There is a lot of goodwill still around, as Christians I know that we don't have the exclusive rights to helping others, but it is a significant motivation for many.
I am honestly not a party pooper, but maybe the type of celebration we need is one that concentrates on serving others, which is very different from spending loads of dosh (that puts people into debt) on presents (that in many cases are never used). The pleasure from seeing joy in someone's face because they have been included is something that lasts in us for longer than the 12 days of Christmas. Without getting too sanctimonious about it, It is something about being the hands and feet of Jesus and maybe Christmas is a good time to start anew.
Oh yes, and the images - I used a Christmas tree!
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