Have you set up your Christmas tree yet? Whether your tree has been up since the start of spring, or you are the type to quickly set it up a couple of days before Christmas, it is likely that you have two sides to your tree. There is probably a “front of the tree” section, filled with the best decorations, and a “back of tree” section, a little more ignored and sparsely decorated, or with no decorations at all! It is the part of the tree that most people do not look at; the back section that just is not worth paying too much attention to or giving energy to.
What is front and centre for you this Christmas? What might be more around the side and towards the back? The Bible’s invitation from the very first Christmas until now is the same: have a look at Jesus and place him front and centre.
In Luke chapter 2, a group of shepherds were told some life-changing news:
10 …the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The invitation was issued to the shepherds – go, have a closer look at the baby born in Bethlehem. This is good news that will bring about great joy, news about a saviour and a promised king.
And what did these shepherds do with this invitation?
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off…
The shepherds received the invitation to see Jesus, and they put other things to the side to have a closer look: Jesus was worth paying attention to, worth diverting energy towards. It can be so easy at the end of the year to prioritise other things which bring us joy – gifts, events, cooking, planning holidays. However, we end up leaving the actual reason for Christmas at the “back of the tree”. As a member of the Meriden community, you have many opportunities to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas together, from the Family Carols Service to Christmas concerts and more. Why not place Jesus front and centre this Christmas?