A CHRISTMAS message from the Reverend Dr Dee Dee Haines - the Minister of Trinity Methodist Church in Douglas and the Cooil Methodist Chapel
"The Myth of Scarcity
When the three Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future make themselves known to Ebenezer Scrooge, he is left reflecting on the meaning of his life.
"Charles Dickens uses the character of Scrooge as an example of what can happen when we pay little attention to those around us.
"Many people are describing this year as a year of austerity, a period of time when things are in short supply. The current rate of unemployment, the tragic state of the euro-zone economy and our own daily budgets being stretched to the max, all contribute to this kind of thinking.
"Could it be true that we are living in a time of scarcity?
"The Christmas story, recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, unfolds in similar circumstances.
"Jesus is born into a world where many people are longing to meet the basic needs of their lives, and others, just a select few, have more than they need.
"His presence in their midst calls forth a spirit of generosity.
"The wise men, and even the shepherds, hurry to bring him a gift.
"Sadly, when we are convinced that there is not enough, we cease to look outward.
"We begin to isolate ourselves, refusing to see the community around us, and focusing solely on our own needs.
"Remember what happened just a few weeks ago when the sea was so rough that no boat could sail to deliver food to some supermarket shelves?
"With even a hint of scarcity in our midst, we clamour for more, and hoard what we have.
"But what if we decided to practice living in an alternative reality? If we choose, our community has the capability of rendering scarcity a myth.
"This doesn't mean that economic circumstances are not real, but it does mean that the way we respond to these circumstances is a choice that we make.
"A personal spirit of generosity initiates that same spirit in others.
"It is a shame that Ebenezer Scrooge waits until the end of his life to discover what had been available to him all along, if he only had eyes to see.
"He had within his power the ability to lessen hardship for others and fill his own life with the rewards of a life that is shaped by generosity.
"May this Christmas bring to you, and yours, a fresh understanding of what it means to be generous in Spirit.
"May your heart make a place for the in-dwelling of the Christ child who is God's gift of past, present, and future.
"He comes proclaiming that the world can be a very different place when we choose to participate in making it so.
"God's peace be upon you, and yours, this Christmas tide."
The Cooil Methodist Chapel Christmas Day service is at 6.30pm.
