Christmas Approaching

Once again we're in the run-up to that time of year again. I've been through this process 57 times now, and I still enjoy it - although for different reasons now. Like all kids and young people, I used to love it for the holiday time - the overindulgence and the presents, and the decorations and carols were a seasonal backdrop to it all. Since I became a dad (over 31 years ago) I came to appreciate it in the light of parenthood; the kids provided a shift of focus from the usual cycle of giving and getting.

Since my conversion to Christianity nearly 30 years ago I came to appreciate the season for its theological significance as well - although it's a widely accepted fact that Jesus wasn't actually born at that time of year (or history, for that matter - it's believed that 5BC was the most likely year). What matters more than these disputed facts is that he actually came. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory - the glory of the only-begotten of the Father." (John 1)

While we have the usual media hysteria about the credit crunch and falling retail sales figures, and Mugabe's ongoing indifference to his starving and diseased people continues to occupy our news, the most significant fact of history lies wrapped up and largely obscured in religious ritual, Victorian fantasy and Hollywood sentimentality: the Messiah arrived as promised. That's what history's really all about. Economic conditions - like political leaders have their ebbs and flows, their exits and their entrances - but his arrival has eternal consequences. He is the anvil on which we are either eternally shaped or irrevocably broken.

A very happy Christmas to you - whoever and wherever you are.