JOY BECAUSE JESUS CAME!!

By Helen Jesze, 9^th December 2022

“…she (Mary) gave birth her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:7 NIV

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

The other day I was thinking about the Christmases I enjoyed as a child, growing up in the South of England. There was no money for a Christmas tree, but homemade decorations, red-berried holly stuck behind the pictures, a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the lamp gave it all a festive air. The Sunday School party had come and gone with games and the two poor little brothers who had stolen some cakes and slid them down into an umbrella to take home! But nobody said anything, for we knew they did not have much food.

My parents, not wanting to rob me of all the fun, yet not wanting to tell lies, used an original name for a certain red-coated, white-bearded gentleman. I remember when I was four years old, my father bent down and called up the chimney: “Father at Christmas, Helen’s been a naughty girl this year, perhaps you don’t want to bring her any presents!” My fears were groundless, however, for “Father at Christmas” did bring in a pillow-slip filled with knobby bundles, which I found at the end of my bed on Christmas morning. My presents were usually jigsaw puzzles, handkerchiefs, a tiny bottle of “Evening in Paris” perfume and the inevitable books, for I loved to read.

On the radio we listened to the Queen’s speech, and then heard the well-known entertainer (was it Wilfred Pickles and his wife, Mabel?) go round the wards of a well-known children’s hospital, as he talked with sick children and gave them presents. On Boxing Day (26th December in England) after lunch the guests would start to arrive. They were friends from the church my father pastored. Coats were piled on the bed; a hot cup of tea and one of Mum’s mince-pies and a seat by the bright coal fire gave a welcome.

When all had arrived the games would start. “Pass the Parcel” and “Charades” were firm favourites, while Mr. P., an ex-Scout Master, always had plenty of games, jokes and riddles to keep us going. Later on, the table was laid with the china “Cottage Garden” tea service, and we all tucked in to sandwiches, jellies, sausage-rolls, mince-pies and Mum’s iced Christmas cake. Then there were carols round the piano, for didn’t we only have Christmas because Jesus came to Earth to die for us…?

It was all simple fun and fellowship, but I love to remember those times. Nowadays, materialism has hidden the true meaning of Christmas, while political correctness even wants to rob us of our right to celebrate his birth at all! Many Christmases have come and gone since then, and this time of Advent points us to the 2022 Christmas, which will soon be upon us. Advent also reminds us that one day, not too very long, Jesus will come again to catch away his born-again children. This time he will not come as a helpless, vulnerable baby, but as the victorious King of Kings!

Here’s wishing you and your family much joy this Christmas –
BECAUSE HE CAME!