FACING UP

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 30, 17 January 1984, Page 6

FACING UP

Christmas has once again been put away in the back cupboard or the bottom drawer for another year and with January half gone already we have probably also almost forgotten our New Year resolutions. School will soon be in and we will then be totally immersed once more with getting on with our lives and living for another year. Why do we only find it necessary to remember the Christ of Christmas once or twice a year, at Christmas and maybe Easter? Some might even ask 'Why remember him at all?' and may be surprised to realise that to a certain extent we can't help ourselves. From God we came and to God we must return — e.ither in Peace or in Judgement — so it is our God-consciousness that makes us pause now and again to ask ourselves what it is all about. And sometimes like an impatient child we don't even wait for an answer. We accept that Christ, as a baby, was born at Bethlehem and we know he died some 30 years later.

Our date, 17 January nineteen hundred and eighty four years after death, as well as all creation, proclaims it. We're told Jesus Christ was a good man who we ought to emulate — and that is a reasonably comfortable fact. We can live with that. But why will we not let him live with us? What sort of friend will he be? Is there such a thing as a bad friend? The dictionary defines 'friend' as 'one attached to another by feelings of

affection or personal regard, a well-wisher, or supporter, one not hostile, a companion, comrade, chum.' So there is no such thing as a bad friend. Christ has not only offered, but promised, to be our friend if we will allow ourselves to get to know him. And what a wonderful friend he is; all-knowing, allpowerful and a 'very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear.' Psalm 46:1. Surely the very best New Year resolution would be 'To know Christ Jesus better' and so have Christ with us every day of the year and not just at Christmas.

F.

Eves