Can you spare one thought for Jesus

In 1970 Alan Hull, lead singer with the band Lindisfarne and one of the most underrated singer/songwriters of his generation wrote the beautiful and thought provoking “Winter Song.” In one the verses he writes:

Over fifty years on the question he poses “Do you spare one thought for Jesus?” is just as relevant. With the business of the Christmas season upon us, peoples’ thoughts are full of shopping, navigating crowded streets for food and presents, planning visits to family and friends and an array of other priorities. For many there is no thought about Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas.

Let’s remember that the Christmas story is one that brings hope to the lives of all people. Andy Hawthorne writes that the Christmas story, “is a story of real people and real emotion, fear, hope, pain and love. It’s the true story of God coming to earth and sharing in our pain, of our God who got alongside the underdog, the illegitimate, the refugee, the poor, the homeless, and the disadvantaged in one fell swoop.

Let’s enjoy this Christmas season, but let’s remember to focus our thoughts on Jesus who “got busted” for explaining He was the Messiah, who came to be with us so that everyone might enjoy a fullness of life that transcends death into eternity (John 10:10) As you do so, let me then encourage you as God’s ambassadors through your words and actions to help others to focus their thoughts on Jesus and the significance of His birth. It may be for the first time you can help a friend or family member to “spare one thought for Jesus.” and when they do, who knows the knock-on effect that may have in their lives!

Keith Saynor
Pastor
1st December 2024