Thought for the week

I HAVE always hated the word Xmas because I felt it really missed the point. But on reflection perhaps not.

I learned at school in algebra that x represents the unknown and the first Christmas was the moment when God became so much better known through the life and ministry of Jesus.

Those of you who watch the X factor on TV will know that this is a programme through which unknowns become famous. Jesus rose from obscure origins as the son of a carpenter in a remote Jewish town to become the most famous person who has ever lived.

Many of you will have put loads of Xs on your Christmas cards to those you love the most as an expression of your love for them. God so loved the world that He risked becoming one of us through a child born on that first Christmas day so that we could know Him more intimately.

X rays help us to see our bodies as they truly are and Jesus gives us real spiritual insight into the human condition. Many of you will, if you are like me, have seen your teacher mark your book with an x when you got things wrong. Christians also believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of love on the cross.

He did this to wipe out all those things we get wrong and to enable us to make a new start each day by acknowledging them to God and asking His forgiveness.

And finally X is a crossroads where paths meet. Christmas celebrates the birth of a child who became the most amazing human being ever to walk this planet.

If you’re looking for a meaning to life, the best path leads to Jesus Christ.