Thoughts from the Rectory December 2024

 Thoughts from the Rectory – December 2024
The Christmas season is fast approaching and many of us have already turned our thoughts to what to buy as a gift for those who are important in our lives.
As some of you may be aware I look out each year for the launching of the Christmas adverts from the major stores with great enthusiasm, to see what their message is (and, of course, to see if there is material for a Christmas sermon or a magazine article!). I was therefore delighted this week as I was just embarking on writing my ‘Thoughts from the Rectory’ for December that it again coincided with the release of a number of Christmas adverts. Having reviewed a number of them I found to my delight that there were some rich pickings!
John Lewis have again released a Christmas campaign that has a bit of a back story, this year about two sisters and the search for the perfect gift, and as has become customary for Christmas adverts, a ‘warm glow’ at its heart. The campaign is called ‘Give knowingly’ and is designed to encourage customers to buy gifts with intention and consideration (all from John Lewis of course!).
According to one of the many and varied reviews on ‘Google’ the campaign's concept is based on the idea that “knowingly” represents living a life of intention, kindness, and doing the right thing. All very altruistic. One might even forget that the ad is designed to lure you into their store to spend and spend…
But perhaps there is a message in the advert for us to take away again this year. The John Lewis strap line ‘give knowingly’ might encourage us to think a little more carefully about the gifts we choose and where they come from- as well as who they are destined for.
Perhaps we could consider this year giving with greater respect and care for the environment – choosing gifts that are ethically sourced and produced, are eco-friendly or fairly traded; using wrappings made from recycled paper and those that are plastic-free. Perhaps you might look at giving a charitable gift, such as those available through Oxfam (and many other charities) to help transform the lives of those in poverty rather than buying something at all.
Whatever you decide to give, and wherever you decide to purchase your gifts, I hope you will keep in mind that the reason you are giving at all is because it is Christmas. We celebrate Christmas because in the beginning God gave knowingly from his love – a world of diversity, colour and beauty, and into that world he gave knowingly his son Jesus.
‘For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He will rule with fairness and justice for all eternity.
taken from Isaiah 9:6-7
This gift from God is the best gift that we could possibly receive – given knowingly – because God knows that we need the saving presence of Jesus in our lives.
I pray that this Christmas as you ponder on the gifts you might give, that you will seek out the gift of Jesus that is given again knowingly by God every year at Christmas (and every day in between) and that you might find that Jesus is the only gift you really need.
Blessings for December
Revd Ruth