Keep The Faith magazine - Britain's leading publication about Black faith

Christmas is one of the few times in the year when more and more people take the focus off themselves and look for ways to connect to, engage with, and give heartfelt support to others. It could be said that, like Christ Himself, individuals present themselves as gifts in order to be a blessing to others and share goodwill, a quality for which the season is renowned. Christmas should always be a time when we give God thanks for the special Gift of His Son Jesus to the world, and reflect on what this unique Gift means, particularly during these difficult times.

The recession, coupled with the Government Spending Review, will no doubt cause many families to scale down on the excessive spending sprees that normally accompany the Christmas season, and instead make people think of cost-effective and imaginative ways to celebrate this time of year, which are free.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, because when we don’t have money to spend on material things, it frees us up to start thinking about those things that make life meaningful and enjoyable.  If we are honest with ourselves, we begin to recognise that these tend to be the things that money can’t buy, like love, peace, contentment, friendship, family, helping others, joy and, most importantly, our relationship with God.

God’s Gift to the world wasn’t money or the latest designer accessories.  His Gift came in the form of a Baby Son – Jesus Christ – who was born to the Virgin Mary in a stable.  Although His birth was not heralded with the earthly pomp and ceremony that normally surrounds the birth of a king, God made sure the people who mattered – the ordinary people – were made aware of it, and sent an angel to declare the good news of Christ’s arrival to shepherds tending their flock.

God gave His best when He sent His son into the world, and those of us who strive to be like Him should follow His example and do likewise: give our best.  In doing so, we’ll embody the real reason for the season.

So don’t stress too much about the fact that you don’t have lots of money to spend on presents.  Instead, remember that the greatest gift you can give your family, friends and wider community is yourself.