Reflecting on Christmas

So what is Christmas all about? What is the real meaning of Christmas? In the church we want to stress the nativity. That is Christmas. That’s what it’s about. But in the wider world all that has got mixed up with jingle bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Christmas specials on TV abound – and so many things are done just in time for Christmas. The X factor winner is crowned and, this year, makes it to be the Christmas number one. The Strictly Come Dancing Winner is announced. Pamela Stephenson and Matt Baker came so close. But Kara Toynton it is – even though some of us might wish it had been Ann Widdecombe. That would have been akin to Joe McElderry being pipped at the post for Christmas number one last year. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year has been named. And so it goes on. And meantime we have been doing all the shopping, wrapping the presents, the tree was decorated long since and the holly and the mistletoe are up. And none of this is bad. Traditions and celebrations are there to be enjoyed. But Christmas trees and Rudolph don’t have anything to do with the birth of a Saviour. So let’s enjoy all the stuff we have added on to Christmas – but let’s catch up with the first, the real, Christmas. Let’s reflect on what Christmas really means.