The book of Ecclesiastes can, at first reading, seem very negative. Here is a man of immense wealth and means – probably King Solomon, who appears to undertake an experiment most of us could only dream about – to try everything and see if it has any lasting value. 

The probability is that Ecclesiastes was written  just before Solomon died. It is almost like a confession. Solomon reflects on his life and his life pursuits, especially the latter half of his life.

His conclusion is very surprising. Everything he had tried, everything he sought meaning in is in fact vanity – foolish. Folly. Meaningless.

Philosophers have asked the question since the dawn of the ages – what is the point of life? What is the reason for our existence?  What is the purpose of the earth? Why is life so hard or filled with pain for some and yet so easy for others?

If we were to read the whole of Ecclesiastes we would find something very interesting – far from being a kill joy, or a depressive, Solomon’s conclusions are very profound and wise. For he nails the problem of life.

A life lived with all the things of the world, with all the beauty of creation, with all the variety of food and pleasures, a life lived with all of these things is a meaningless life UNLESS IT HAS GOD AT THE CENTER.

In the same way, a life which even has pain and distress and discomfort is a meaningful life IF GOD IS AT THE CENTER.

Put God in the center of any life and it immediately has purpose – direction – meaning; even when that life is filled with pain and hardship.

We are approaching Christmas. A time when we celebrate the revelation of God - God coming into this world. Why did God reveal himself to us in Jesus Christ? So that we could put him at the center of our lives.

Christ at the center of our lives IS the meaning of life! May it be so for each one of us this Christmas and for 2012!