Hennie Symington

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John. 12:24 (KJV)

For many of us our natural mode of existence is to be stuck in a rut. We do not like change, we don’t want to change and what’s more, we don’t see why we should change. We believe that a leopard can’t change its spots and neither can you teach an old dog new tricks.

Well, I wonder what God would make of these words. Believing that’s the way it is and that a rough diamond cannot be cut, utterly denies the power of faith to bring radical change in your life.

From a Christian point of view, it’s not about who you are or what you are – it’s about whom or what you can become. So sure was God that a change of heart is possible, that He moved heaven and earth to offer us the possibility to change. He allowed heaven to touch the earth for one brief moment when He sent his Son to be born in a stable from an earthly mother so that our true humanity could be restored.

Christmas rings in the changes. Christmas is the season for change. If you are known for upsetting everyone with your impatient behaviour, now is the time to learn tolerance. If your quick temper knows no bounds, now’s the time for a gentler touch. If you have no time for the poor, now is the time to reach out to them under a new dispensation where even the least among us is important. Now’s the time to lay down your pride at the Saviour's crib. You can be reborn. You can be what God intended you to be: a brilliant diamond cut by the Master cutter, reflecting your best qualities.

This Christmas, may the Child you get excited about the possibility of slipping out of your grumpy groove and making Christmas day the day of the new “me”.

Prayer:  Lord, sometimes I'm so proud of who I am, warts and all. Please open my heart to the possibility of change for heaven’s sake. Remind me of your Son who came from heaven to earth to give us heaven on earth. Amen