As we celebrate God with us this Christmas Premier NexGen Editor Gareth Crispin encourages Christian parents to follow Jesus’ example and be present to those around them
Last week I went to get my hearing tested. Certain members of my family had suggested I was going deaf, in turn, I suggested, that perhaps they were mumbling. I then remembered, years ago, my gran saying that my 15-year-old-self was mumbling when I was pretty sure that the issue was with her, so …… I dutifully took myself off to the audiologist.
After clicking when I heard a series of beeps (no I can’t tell you what those beeps were in case you cheat when you go) the friendly audiologist informed me that my hearing is fine (in fact it is, at times, perfect!). But she quickly added that before I ran off home all smug, I ought to consider the research that suggests that instead of my family mumbling OR my hearing failing, the truth might be that I am not listening carefully enough.
It turns out that most of us listen least carefully to those who are closest to us
She was very nice about it. She informed me that it was, in fact, very common. It turns out that most of us listen least carefully to those who are closest to us. Now we don’t need to beat ourselves up as a lot of this is to do with the fact that we’re trying to do a myriad of life tasks when at home. We just can’t give our undivided attention to people all the time. But there is also enough of an indication here that perhaps we take those closest to us for granted.
Christmas is the time that we remember and celebrate Emmanuel, God with us – the time when God stepped into our story to bring us into his. It’s the moment God stooped down to our level, the time he made himself accessible to us. Through his Spirit he continues to be just as present and available to us today.
Read more:
5 of the best Christian Christmas songs for your youth and children
The case against Christian parents telling their children Santa is real
The case for Christian parents telling their children Santa is real
Maybe as we celebrate God with us this Christmas it will be good to remember to be with those around us - to really be with - not simply to embody a space but to work at being present, to being available, listening to them and showing them that they matter. Amongst all the busyness (and sometimes chaos!), that might not be easy, but how about you and I make a promise, we stop reading now, put down our devices and even if only for a while, we ask God for his help and give it a go.
I hope and pray you have a blessed Christmas.
