Christmas Is Coming | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Christmas Is Coming | Previous Challenge Entry
By Irene MacBain
10/25/08
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Christmas Is Coming

Having heard countless reports on the economic downturn I decided to turn from BBC1 to STV. I got there just as an advert struck up with the song, “its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” How ironic! Christmas is less than nine weeks away but I sense a change in the air this year. For over ten years now stores have made sure all the Christmas stuff is out before Halloween. Conscientious shoppers are usually already buying in the beginnings of presents and decorations. However, I sense an air of caution in the air as I buy my groceries. People have less money to spend compared to this time last year. This year alone fuel companies have increased their prices; petrol and diesel have gone well over the one pound a litre mark and now; and recession is beginning to take hold. Money has been the security for many in the West for so long that there is nothing for them to hold onto when they suffer its loss. Could it be that money has become the “god” of the Western world?

Last year all we heard as Christians was that God was no longer welcome in school plays, in local shopping centres, or in any public place other than at church. The Nativity has been moved out of the way so as not to cause offence. Christmas has become an excuse to get bigger and better material items for family members and in so doing, rack up thousands of pounds of debt on credit cards, in loans and borrowing from banks and finance companies only too willing to lend.

Today however, the story is quite different. Mortgages have increased as Mortgage Lenders have fallen foul of the current financial crisis. Loans and borrowing has become more difficult to get. In short: - money seems to be in short supply! Banks no longer have money to lend to other banks and shares have fallen drastically wiping millions off pension funds and saving schemes. Several of those who had sizeable incomes are now trying to get by on the much smaller income of either Jobseekers Allowance, or nothing as they have too much collateral and are not eligible for assistance.

All around people are losing their houses to repossession, recession is taking hold. Yet, in the midst of it all there is a glimmer of hope. Jesus Himself knows first hand what poverty is like and when we turn to Him, He provides more comfort than any material goods could ever bring. It could be that this situation may be the way God has chosen to get our attention.

Living on benefits myself and struggling daily with crippling pain I know how important it is to hang on to the promises of God. His presence is always near and He continually provides all my needs. Life now may not be comfortable, but one day I know that all the pain will be gone. I will be more alive then than I could ever be now and I certainly won’t need coffee to try and combat the side effects of painkillers. Neither will I need to worry about falling asleep in my dinner anymore. The efforts of trying to find great Christmas presents at bargain prices throughout the year will be over. Money will no longer mean anything as gold itself will be part of the pavement in Heaven, but more than any of that I will be face to face with my Saviour. I cannot think of anything better to look forward to, but until then I can always look forward to my next cup of coffee.

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