Share a Little Love

It’s that time of year again – the tree is up, I’ve put up the outside lights (that’s right, I did it myself this year!), the first cards have been received and the first present is ready to be wrapped. Along with the usual festive fun starting up, I love getting to watch Christmas movies – both old and new. So, has anyone else indulged in the sequel to Netflix’s Christmas guilty pleasure – A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding?

I recently watched it, and it was just as bad / good as the first one, and certainly everything you’d expect. But there was this moment towards the end of the film, which has really stayed with me. I doubt it was intended as such, but for me it was very poignant. The royal family have just turned on the lights on the royal Christmas tree, and as they celebrate they all join together to sing Noel Noel. We watch them smiling at each other as they sing “born is the King of Israel”. And I realised, that’s the only mention of Jesus throughout the whole film. They talk about what Christmas is really about (family, apparently) and all their important holiday traditions. They all wish each other a merry Christmas and try not to “ruin the season”. But Jesus is conspicuous in His absence.

I was feeling all ready to have a bit of a rant about this. It’s not just in Netflix’s Christmas movie either – the shops are jam-packed with tinsel, lights, cards, gifts, Christmas food, etc. etc. We’re all starting to work through our to-do lists – what to buy for people, will it be turkey or goose, will we manage to get an online food delivery slot in time… We’re jumping back into well-loved routines and traditions to ensure that Christmas is a happy time for ourselves and our friends and family. But are we really thinking about Jesus, and the “real” meaning of Christmas?

And that’s when it struck me. We are! Or at least, sort of… It’s wonderful to see the queues to get into church, to hear children singing carols that tell of the wonder that is God’s gift to all of us, to listen to the Christmas sermon that challenges us to be better and do more. It’s wonderful to talk to friends, family and colleagues about how we celebrate Jesus this Christmas. But it’s also wonderful that regardless of the relationship, or lack-there-of, that we have with God, we still bring something of His love at this time of year.

Putting aside the carols and church services, the advent preparations and the obvious ways in which Christmas is about God, have a think about some of your traditions. Buying gifts for friends and family, with all the careful thought put in to making someone you love feel special and happy. Selecting food to cook for Christmas Day to ensure your loved ones are well-looked after and well-fed. Sending cards to people you don’t see very often, reminding them that you love them and think of them, even if you don’t get to see them as much as you’d like. Decorating your homes so that they are beautiful, warm and welcoming.

At Christmas, we allow our moral-compass to take over and we pick many of our actions based on their impact on others. We do things to make others happy and to share a little love. At Christmas, we consider other people, and are blessed through being considered by others. Just like that first Christmas, we put love before logic.

Even Netflix’s A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding works because at Christmas we don’t mind the overly simplistic good over evil plot line. We aren’t bothered by the very obvious characters because we’re happy to be rooting for everyone and wanting the best outcome, even if we saw it coming from the opening credits. We put our cynicism to one side and simply relish the fun that is everything working out for the best.

And when we take things back to basics, that’s a big part of what Christmas is all about – this most secular of religious celebrations is setting the scene for a humongous act of sacrifice which meant things could work out for the best, and good could win. Christmas is the celebration of good triumphing over evil, and a moment for many of us to thank God for making that so.

So, whether you’ll be heading to church on Christmas Day, or drinking from the moment you wake up and opening presents while stuffing your face as full as you can of turkey, or indeed both, you’re still taking part in the “real” meaning of Christmas. Know that by celebrating this day that is so much about the other people in our lives, you’ll be doing your bit to help good triumph, and I reckon that’s a great way to thank God for His most incredible gift.