Christmas is Everywhere
by Malcolm Wood
Shop windows, the media, advertisements, town and village squares, churches, houses, and now, even some suburban rooftops, would all seem to confirm the statement displayed in one of our local stores that ‘Christmas is Everywhere!’ It would be very difficult for someone to avoid the references to the approaching season of celebration that surround us.
Although the significance and meaning of this time of celebration has been lost to so many, the truth remains the same, and is still there for those who, like the wise men of old, are prepared to diligently search for it. God intervened in human history by coming in the form of a baby and being born in Bethlehem.
The impact and importance of the message at the centre of the Christmas story, that God so loved the world and took the initiative to redeem lost mankind to Himself, goes far beyond the confines of the traditional nativity scene with which we’re so familiar.
This event, which took place just over 2000 years ago, dramatically changed the world, and the consequences and effects of it encompass the world today.
We’re told that there are now only relatively a few places in the world which haven’t been reached with the Christian message. Whilst travelling through Tanzania a few years ago I found it amazing to see, in the remotest of areas, the numerous little villages or communities which had a hoarding displaying a scripture verse, or a rough shack with a cross on it, an obvious place of worship, and other things which gave testimony to a Christian influence. This is, of course, repeated time and time again around the world, where the spread of Christianity has left its mark.
Christmas, or at least the message it contains, is indeed everywhere, and the one at the centre of the story, the Lord Jesus Christ, is still at the centre of all things, and is available to all who reach out to Him, whatever their need, and wherever they are.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for coming into this world to bring life, love, hope, happiness, healing, and so much more, and that we can reach out to You anywhere, because You are everywhere. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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