Rev Graham Cocking

CHRISTMAS 2009/JAN 2010        Volume 41 Number 4

Tick the box

Christmas is coming! Tick the box
Bought the cards Tick the box
Got the presents Tick the box
Ordered the Turkey Tick the box
Got the stamps Tick the box
Sent the cards Tick the box
Got the mince pies Tick the box
Been to school nativity Tick the box
Done the carol singing Tick the box
Been to carol service Tick the box
Money to the homeless Tick the box
Seen baby Jesus Where’s the box?
I can’t find the box. I can’t see the box. No the box can’t be found or seen because there is no box. Jesus is not just a box to tick, Jesus is to be felt, to be experienced, to be enjoyed.

In the frantic box ticking of Christmas there is a central figure, one who is outside all boxes, who cannot be encapsulated. He came as a little babe, was of the world and in the world and became the light of the world, even though at one time the world knew Him not.

Can you box up light? Neither can you box up Jesus.

This Christmas think outside the box with Him. Go where He wants you to be – assisting at Crisis, organising a Christmas lunch for those who would be on their own, packing gifts into shoeboxes to be sent to other countries, calling in on your neighbours, inviting someone to share your family’s Christmas meal and if you’re unable to do any of this think of something else, pray about those who are able enough to act. Don’t tick the box, think outside it and bring a little life and light to someone in need.

Have a meaningful Christmas.

May God richly bless you. Graham