It is Christmas. Today marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Today is one of the most celebrated and significant events in human history. It also marks the beginning of the Christian faith. Millions of people observe the day in some form around the world. For myself, this has been one of the quietest Christmas seasons I have probably ever had. It’s been very nice. Practically no travelling. No Christmas parties. Just basic Christmas decorating. With our children spread out around the world, it was just my wife and myself.

A few weeks ago I attended a Santa Claus parade in the village of Waubaushene. This is the village where my wife Lynne works as postmaster. Lynne, and those in her office participated in the parade. Lynne was dressed as a mailbox. It was so much fun watching her waving at everyone. For a small village, they put on a quite a big event. The parade was extremely well attended.

Throughout December, there has not only been Santa Claus parades, but we’ve seen houses all lit up with Christmas lights and decorated with reindeer on the roofs and those blowup Santa Clauses and Snowmen balloons in their yards. I have also noticed that Grinch inflatables and decor have been very popular this year. Stores have been filled with holiday decor, Christmas trees, and holiday music. When you take in account for presents, travel, parties, meals, decorating and so on, Christmas can get very expensive. The website Made in CA gives some Holiday spending statistics, updated December 31, 2024. The 1st two of the 11 bullet points are, “On average, Canadians plan to spend $1,853 during the 2024 holiday season. Most Canadians overspent during the holiday season with only 2% sticking to or spending less than their budget.” A Harris and Partners 2025 Christmas spending report here in Canada (published Nov, 10, 2025) states that “61% don’t feel financially prepared for Christmas 2025, 72% plan to cut back on spending compared with last year and 54% feel anxious about affording the holidays.

Lynne and I have had some more pretty big unforeseen expenses this past year. So we decided to not get each other presents. With our 4 children spread out around the world this year, it was just Lynne and myself. What we ended up doing is helping in a small way at Elmvale Presbyterian Church in their Christmas dinner ministry. Giving people a nice Christmas dinner who might not get one otherwise. It was incredibly special to be a part of this. It’s really what Christmas is all about.

The last 4 weeks I have been lay pastor at the Three Churches we have been journeying through Advent as we prepared ourselves for the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God on Christmas Day. It is a season where there’s a lot of other stuff going on. There’s so much else that’s intriguing and entertaining and powerful that Jesus can get overshadowed. It was my prayer that I would guard against becoming distracted. From being lulled into focusing on something other than Jesus during the season. If we’re inventive enough, we can see Jesus in practically everything that surrounds us this season.

Take the Christmas tree, an evergreen which reminds of of everlasting life in Jesus. The ornaments hanging on the tree also remind us of what Jesus has done for us. When I see the red ones, I think about the blood of Jesus that He shed for my salvation. The silver and gold remind me of God’s blessings in my life. The candy cane reminds me that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The white reminds me that Jesus was pure and sinless. The red stripes that he shed His blood for me.

Last, but not least there is the nativity scene, which has a way of drawing draw our attention back to Jesus. The angels, the wise men, the shepherds, the cattle and sheep, Joseph and Mary… and the Baby in the manger. I love observing the manger or nativity scenes. The cool thing is pretty well every one are all looking in the same direction. They’re all looking at the manger. At the baby lying in the manger. The centre of Christmas. My prayer is that you also had a beautiful, simple Christmas. May God bless.

Powerfully created video of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Video Source.