It might surprise you to learn that in the six weeks leading up to Christmas, Australians spent a record of $36.5 billion in the shops, or over $1700 per head! This is surely unprecedented generosity!
Yet we feel a bit sad that many people missed the point this year. The thing missing from their holidays is God.
The word holiday is from two words, holy and day, joined together. Holidays are meant to be holy-days.
Comedian Henny Youngman, referring to the original meaning of the term quipped, “I was an atheist for a while, but I gave it up. No holidays!”
Christians set aside these days, not only to rest, but especially to enjoy God’s creation and his presence.
We hope these holy-days you will enjoy having a break, and maybe even share gifts with those you love. But spare a thought for the most generous giver of all. Jesus has made it possible for us to know the holy God. He paid that price for us, so that every day can truly be a holy-day.
Peter Hutchinson