|
I discovered these words whilst looking through some of last year’s
Christmas cards which were sent to me. They will be on some of this
year’s Christmas cards too I expect; for these words, these
sentiments, are always seasonal, always relevant, always “up to
date”.
Christmas is for Remembering. More memories come
to the surface at Christmas than at any other time. Nostalgia takes
us back to childhood; to adolescence; to the sweet years of early
manhood and womanhood…..
Memories of Christmas past … memories of all those loving
personalities who clothe with flesh the remembered sights and scenes
and happinesses of those Christmas Days when we were very young……
Christmas is for Giving. The humble offering of the
shepherds’ worship. The rich and splendid gifts of the Wise Men.
Such is the fountainhead of all our giving at Christmas-time. Let us
remember at least one hungry child - one naked child - one orphaned
child - one love-less child - this Christmas. For in doing so we
shall be giving to the Christ-Child.
Christmas is for Forgiving. Forgive old enemies. Forget
old scores, Forget them and be done with them for ever. And forgive
all who have hurt you; all who have slighted you; cheated you; stole
something precious from you. Forgive them all, without reservation.
Forgive and forget…..
Christmas is for Loving. “Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and
angels gave the sign.” LOVE is the greatest single dynamic for Good
the world has ever known. The Love of God was made uniquely manifest
in the Babe of Bethlehem. Our Love for each other and for our fellow
man is our reflected response of the Divine Love that lit the Judean
skies and illuminated a stable cave in Bethlehem when Jesus was born
of Mary, two thousand years ago….
Christmas is for Keeping. To keep in our hearts the
whole year through the Mystery of the Incarnation; is to keep alive
and warm in our lives the greatest gift that God has ever given to
mankind. The gift of Love; of forgiveness; of life eternal. All the
gifts we shall ever give at all the Christmases of our lives - can
never equal the Gift of God of His Son Jesus Christ. A Gift to have
and to hold; and to keep in our hearts for ever.
“Never a Christmas morning…..never an Old Year ends..
But someone thinks of someone….
Old days, old times, old friends….
Be merry at Christmas… be Happy all Year!”
[The above article was written a number of years ago by the late
Rev. Eric Hayman, Avril’s godfather and dear uncle.]
  |
