We seem to spend the first half of our lives trying to forget that WE ARE GOING TO DIE.  Did those words shock you?  As I wrote them the word ‘morbid’ sprang to mind – because I think that is what society generally thinks of talking about death.  Yet to have a perspective on your life surely you must first accept that you are going to die? 

The term ‘mid life crisis’ seems to have become common in our society.   What is it?  What causes it?  The mid life crisis is commonly thought of as a change in time frame from “time since birth” to “time left to live”.  It seems to cause men to rush out to buy new cars, and woman to suddenly pull out the clothes they wore as a teenager (much to the distress of their daughters), in an effort to “feel young again”.  It seems that it is people waking up to the fact that life is a finite period of time, and suddenly searching for some meaning in their lives, and answers about their life purpose. 

If you are already Christian you are lucky that you know following Christ is your overall purpose.  God created man in his own image, and constantly draws us to Him because only in God can man find and live the fullness of truth and happiness for which he never stops searching.  I often wonder what people who don’t believe in God think about life and its meaning.  It seems like it would be such an empty existence.

Whether Christian or not, sometimes we need something to happen in our lives that “hits” us to wake us up to God and what’s really important.  People who have been close to death often seem to have a much sharper perspective on life.  Something like that must drastically change your priorities.

People can be “hit” in all sorts of ways though. When we’re off track there are always things which make us stop and reassess where our lives are heading. These things can often seem terrible at the time, but maybe they are simply God tapping us on the shoulder and saying “Notice me!”

At the dawn of a new year perhaps it is worth thinking about the fact that your time on this Earth won’t last forever – so what is it you want to do, say and achieve?

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  (Luke 2.8-14)

This is the eve of an amazing celebration in the Church year.  It is a time to be with friends and family and to dance and have fun!  And what are we celebrating about?  The birth of Jesus Christ, and the impact that birth had on the world!  Today there are millions of Christians around the world, whose lives continue to be impacted by the birth of Jesus Christ hundreds of years later.  Isn’t that an amazing and extraordinary thing? 

The central object of The New Testament in the bible is Jesus Christ.  The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the principle witness to the life and teaching of Jesus.  God arrived in to the world as a baby born in a humble manger; it was no flash maternity hospital.  He made himself truly human, meaning he was at times truly happy, truly frustrated and truly distressed.  He knows what it feels like to feel let down by people close to you.  He also told us we have to forgive people, despite those feelings.  He chose to live among us, knowing people would hurt Him.  This tells us something about the love God has for us. 

Jesus grew up to be a man of integrity.  If He was around now what would you think of someone who broke social taboos by hanging out with prostitutes, lepers and tax collectors?  Someone who openly questioned the priests in the temples of His time?  Someone who respected women in a male dominated society?  Christians still learn and follow the lessons Christ gave in his life.  Isn’t it amazing that the birth of a baby all those years ago has had and continues to have such an impact on our world?!

So bring out your Christmas traditions, your best Christmas carol singing voice, your love for the people around you, your glass of wine, your Christmas cake and your smiles – and have a very merry Christmas!