My sister-in-law in Sydney went to Miranda Fair Shoppingtown the other day and wondered what the frenzy was. Then she realised – Christmas! Frenzy seems to have become an accepted part of Christmas. Is it seen to add to the excitement? But there is a down side to it-people get hurt, missed out forgotten. As we still have a few weeks to go, we have the opportunity to think and care for some of those people and make our Christmas a true sharing in the giving of God.
One group in our society, who get missed, are those who don’t have enough to join in the now very traditional spending spree. It is especially the children in this group who can feel as though they don’t belong. The St Vincent de Paul society, along with other groups, try to help out with food hampers and gifts. They especially welcome gifts for children targeted to age and sex of the child.
Another group are those with few family or friends. We all know a few. Some offer of friendliness over the Christmas period – perhaps a shared coffee, a meal, a gift given – can have an effect out of all proportion to any effort we might have to make.
When we care for these people, we are thinking and feeling like God…and that is one of the primary gifts that Jesus offered to us: to become divine. But we can only receive that gift when we give as he gave, generously and without the expectation of return.
Loving God, we are now winding up for Christmas. In the rush, let me not forget how Jesus came into our world – poor and marginalised. Let me welcome him in the people in need in my community. May our families Christmas be rich in your love. We ask this in Jesus name confident that your will hear us.
