September 30-October 1 - Jingle bells

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Now, I'm going to sound a bit like a chip off Pastor Peter's block, but the other day I was thinking over his SmartSteward Wednesday blogs when I was told that the local garden centre and shops in town are all set out with Christmas displays – Father Christmas's, angels, baubles, tinsel, artificial trees....the lot. Personally I can't stand those artificial Christmas trees, especially the black and silver ones. Give me the genuine article despite the mess they make as their needles drop. The smell of pine that fills the house takes some beating.

Once I'd digested the incongruous image of late summer sunshine and roses in full bloom outside the garden centre, with decorations and Christmas carols inside the garden centre, I thought it might be a good time to remember the admonition: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another." (Romans 13:8) Why? Because from now till the end of the year is the most likely time for people to be pressed into overspending, and consequent debt.

It's a well-known fact that as the Christmas season approaches the pressure to spend, spend, spend, is great - Special food, travel to family, gifts; new clothes, party's to attend. Standing alone the accrued cost is bad enough, but many out there haven't finished paying for last year so more debt will create an even deeper pit.

If we removed every debt from our life except the obligation to love one another, what would that be like? I bet many health problems caused by worry or anxiety would disappear. We wouldn't dread opening the mail to find another bill or another credit card over-draft. Bankruptcy filings would plummet.

Best of all, we would be obeying the Word of God and nothing but good can ever come from that. Before launching into shopping this year, think of how great it would be .to go into a new year free from debt.

Christmas is a season of love, so let us think about ways to love one another. That way, instead of practicing writing cheques and signing credit cards slips, we can concentrate on the true meaning of God's gift to us on that silent night, and the tree that one Easter, was to buy our salvation...

“Love One Another as I Have Loved You” - John 13:34, music for today. Click on the picture to listen.