Joseph's Story

Joseph member at Highfields | 15:23, 17 Nov 2024

I had the blessing of growing up in a society where believing in at least some form of deity was commonplace and not to believe was a rarity. This meant everything around me was centred on a sort of belief in God – school, church and home. For me, there were elements of Christianity in all my spheres.

At home, I witnessed two separate forms of Christianity played out by each of my parents. One of them was more academic. It felt more abstract as the Bible was talked about, but its application was absent. The other parent was more about "living out Christianity, all about the heart".

the gap between these different approaches

I knew there was a problem with the gap between these different approaches. In my Christian journey I learnt both mind and heart were essential. I never had a dramatic conversion experience but God in His kindness slowly walked with me to a place where reason and practice united.

Christmas can seem to many people like my childhood - two separate worlds. One world is the physical with celebrations, presents, lights and beauty all around us detached from what gives Christmas meaning. There needs to be unity. A true conviction amid all the festivity that Christ is at the centre.

may our hearts come to know more of the greatest gift

I pray that as we go through the season of Christmas, may our hearts come to know more of the greatest gift given to humanity. The gift of God, becoming a human being and living among us. If you are yet to come to know Christ, may this season be the time you are reconciled to Him. May you come to know the God who gave Himself for us from Christmas to the Cross.

Merry Christmas!