Christmas

It's just 1 week to Christmas, which we're spending with my family this year.  I'm almost finished Christmas shopping, I did almost all of it online!  I'm waiting for one delivery, and I'm collecting a gift tomorrow.  After that I just need to get something for my partner, and I'm trying to work out what he would like.  What do you get someone who isn't overly materialistic?  He already has everything he wants, and we already have too much "stuff"!


All of this got me thinking about how we went about getting gifts sorted.  We set a budget, and divided it up.  And we noticed a pattern - office "secret Santa" got £5.  Nephews and nieces got £20-£30.  Parents got £40-£50.  My partner... don't know yet!


There seems to be a scale of significance in how much we spent.  The more significant the person, the more we spend.  The Secret Santa is one of those annual "must do" things, so the budget is minimal.  Parents get more, nephews and nieces are in between, because they're growing up (and whatever we buy will be out of fashion in six months anyway!).


But Christmas is not really about materialism - or it shouldn't be!  It's about another gift.  2,000 years ago God gave us himself.  What does that tell us about how significant we are to him?  


So, what can give in return?  Romans 12:1 in The Message sums it up:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 

And if you'd like a good Christmas song, here's one of my favourites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2McgKkUChA


This will be my last post of the year, so Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Image: Google Images

World AIDS Day

Jesus,


You know each person affected by HIV/AIDS.  You love each one, whether someone with a diagnosis or their friends and loved ones.  Jesus you are the great healer, please bring your healing and love to these people.  


In many places people with HIV are treated like lepers, but you reached out to lepers, you embraced them.  May each one know your love.  


Please be with the scientists and doctors trying to find a cure.  May those who control medication allow it to get where it is needed, not just to where people can pay.


Jesus we look forward to your new world, where sickness and suffering will be no more.  That is our greatest hope.


Amen