Has Christmas Lost Its Meaning?

Only a few more days until Christmas!

Are you excited?

It seems that the festive spirit has captured a lot of people. Whether you walk, drive, or run your errands by public transport it’s not hard to miss fairy lights sprawled all over people’s homes and people in Santa hats.

Not to mention the Christmas parties! Colleges, universities, workplaces and churches have all held their events by now in anticipation for one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar.

But why are people in such a good mood for 25th? Is it because Jesus Christ was born to the virgin Mary? Or is it because it is a national holiday across many countries in the world and an excuse to spend your work pay or student loan- what’s left of it- on gifts?

Arguably, society today are generally more concerned with the festivities and fun Christmas bring- not that there is anything wrong with enjoying the period. The problem though, is that it appears that people have forgotten its message. Christmas should be important not only to people of the Christian faith, but to society as a whole.

Please remember why we as brothers and sisters celebrate this day.

Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV)

How Are You Spending Christmas?

How will you be spending Christmas? Work commitments may be keeping us on campus during the festive period, or even money issues might be hindering you from travelling back home to spend the 25th with your family.

It feels like just yesterday we were all beginning the academic year full of energy and optimism for the coming months. The majority of us promised that we would attend every lesson, lecture, seminar or lab session we had on our timetable. Assignments would be begun from the day they we were informed of them and there would be no waiting to the last minute.

Some of us stuck to these promises. Some of us didn’t. Now only a few months down the line, that special and cherished time of the year has dawned upon us again and it appears that time has not been our friend.

No matter how you are spending one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar, remember the meaning behind Christmas. We have been taught this for years and are reminded each year but it’s still easy to cast this out of our minds and become consumed with buying presents, and organising outings with friends.

Isaiah 9:6 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.

Should Guns Be Banned In The US?

Today has been a sad day, not only for the parents and families of the 27 victims massacred at Sandy Hook School in Connecticut, America but for the entire world.

The world was informed earlier on today that 20 young children that attended the school were brutally shot with a gun used by a teacher’s son.

Map showing location of Sandy Hook School

According to the Washington Post, the killer has been identified as Adam Lanza, only 20 years of age.

The laws on guns in the United States have long been debated and we are now forced to re-question whether laws should be tightened like in Britain, where the possession of a firearm is a serious offence leading to a prison sentence.

Let us all pray for those involved in the day’s horrific events, that they will be granted peace and forgiveness.