BRINGING JOY TO THE WORLD, AND YOUR HOME THIS CHRISTMAS

Hi everyone,

It’s that amazing, festive time of year when millions across the globe celebrate Christmas. But, let’s be honest – this year has not been particularly amazing, and the past few weeks have been far from festive. We’re in uncertain, unchartered territory. The usual fun and fanfare has been replaced by anxiety and distress. The Covid-19 pandemic, now its second surge continues to leave a trail of devastation. Many have lost friends and family, while others are fighting for their lives in hospital. Thousands of people have lost their jobs, and others are just getting by with the little they have. While we celebrate Christmas today, I ask that we all take some time to pray for, call and remember those who aren’t in as fortunate a situation as we may be.

This Christmas many of us won’t physically be attending Church. You may miss the joyful sound of carols, the sermon about the miracle of Christmas, and if you’re like me, you’ll definitely miss the people and the hugs and laughter that resonate after every Christmas service. However this year, God has other plans, and despite the circumstances, we have to trust in the Sovereignty of our heavenly Father.

Today I’d like to encourage you to leave the turkey and trifle aside for a while and sit around a table with your family. Take turns to express gratitude for all the good that has happened this year. While 2020 may have been overshadowed by Covid, there have also been many positive things that have taken place. Maybe you bought a house this year. Maybe you started a new job, or a new business venture. Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to work from home and spend more quality time with your family. Maybe you made you a new friend. Express thanks for your marriage, for your job, for your parents, your children, your family and friends.

Very few periods in history have tested our resilience the way 2020 has. Acknowledge the grace that carried you through, and the gift of life that you still have.

By now every one of us is likely to know someone that has died of Covid-19. In recent weeks the deaths have increased exponentially and we’ve lost many people close to us – healthy people whom we’d never have expected to lose their lives so soon.

It’s almost as if we’re in a war, and while we’re trying to shelter our families, we don’t know who out there will be the next casualty. Earlier this week, after receiving so many notices of people who’ve died, I began writing messages to a few people that have crossed my path over the years. I thought it was important to let them know about the impact they’ve had on my life.

Maybe you’d like to do the same. It could be the one person at your workplace ten years ago who always made you laugh. It could be the teacher who constantly encouraged you, or a high school friend that taught you a lesson you’ve never forgotten. I recently tracked down someone  who used to give me extra Maths lessons in Durban more than 20 years ago, and it was so amazing just to connect again, so I could express appreciation.

Gratitude and acknowledgement is scarce, yet it’s needed so much right now. People are yearning for comfort, love and a shoulder to lean on. While social distancing may not allow this, we can use the tools we have at hand to make someone feel special.

A phone call to check on how someone is doing will mean a lot to them. If you have the means to do something extra, you could send them a gift from an online store that can be delivered straight to their home. If you know someone who could do with groceries and you’re too afraid to visit them, how about sending them a voucher? These days stores like Checkers and Pick n Pay allow you to buy grocery vouchers online and they send a pin code directly to the recipient’s cellphone. Thanks to technology, there are so many ways in which we can be a blessing at this time, while still observing Covid-19 protocols.

Many people have been saying that Christmas is cancelled this year because the usual bells and whistles with our families won’t be there. However, I’d like to remind you that the reason for the season – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, is not dependent on viruses or circumstances.  At Christmas we celebrate the ultimate Gift given to us. We celebrate the Love of our Father, expressed through the birth of His Son.

Despite our circumstances, “These three remain: faith, hope and love…and the greatest of these is love.

This festive season let’s get our families together to express hearts of gratitude, and let’s do our bit to showcase love to others!

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