In the run-up to Christmas it’s always a very busy time in school, and as I was on my way to teach a lesson the other day I overheard a conversation in the corridor. Mr Webb said something that I thought was very interesting and I thought I would talk a little bit more about it in my address today.
He was asking some children what’s the true meaning of Christmas, is it Santa Claus or is it the birth of Jesus?
Well, that’s a very good question isn’t it? I don’t think I’ve got the answer Mr Webb, but all the best questions don’t have easy answers, but just thinking about them helps us to understand something new.
Of course, for those Christians who go to church regularly and will attend on Christmas Eve, the story of the nativity will form a really important part of the year, but for others, perhaps those who follow a different religion or those who don’t have a religion they might think what does this story mean for me?
After all, the nativity tells us of a young couple far from home, starting a family for the first time, with very little money and an uncertain future ahead of them.
Santa Claus on the other hand is all about getting the best, getting lovely shiny presents and having all the latest things.
If I said to the children, what would you like for Christmas, what might they say? Nobody says I want a really old version of PlayStation. No one says I want the football boots that Ronaldo was wearing 10 years ago. Nobody says they want something cheap and they don't mind what it is.
Again, if I said to you where would you like to spend your Christmas? Most people would say in their lovely warm houses with their lovely families. Some people might think it would be nice for a special occasion to spend it in a luxurious hotel, maybe even somewhere warm like Malaga or the Maldives.
I don't think many people would say they'd like to spend it in a stable or in a town a long way away where there's nowhere for them to stay. I know I wouldn’t.
And that’s where the two Christmas messages are really different isn't it? Because the story about the birth of Jesus isn't about being the best or having all the latest things. Jesus was born to a poor family, he was born many miles from home in a stable where there was nowhere better for him to stay. They didn't travel there in a shiny 4x4 car or I suppose, in the times of the Roman Empire, the latest chariot, but instead they came on a donkey and dad had to walk.
It’s true that Jesus was to be called a king but he wasn't to have a palace or to wear a crown or to have servants. Instead, he was a king who came to give the world a message of love and compassion and kindness. His message was that these values have no cost but they are worth more than all the gold and silver in the world.
Waiting for Santa to bring presents is exciting and makes us feel special, but the Christmas story tells us that there’s more to life than simply the things that we own or the money that we have. It tells us that deep down what matters most is looking after the people we love and thinking of other people who perhaps we don't know but we might be able to help in some way.
So, children, I do hope you get some lovely presents this Christmas and that Santa brings you something really exciting and I hope everyone in our Crescent community can spend time with their families and enjoy their homes together, but in amongst the tinsel and wrapping paper perhaps we can all try and remember the other message of Christmas, the one that we learn every year about the birth of a very special baby, which is the message of peace on earth and goodwill to all.
