Pottermania is here and it is here to stay. The film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has gone on general release and it looks as if it will re-write the record books. The second film is already in production and it will not be long before the fifth book in the series will be published. The Harry Potter phenomenon is not a brief passing phase, it is here to stay for some considerable time and it will have a marked effect upon our society and especially upon children.

The big question is whether Harry Potter will have a positive effect or a negative effect - especially upon the young.

Opinions among Christians are divided as to whether the consequences will be beneficial or harmful. The books and film are undoubtably good tales, well told, which capture the imagination. They are stories of moral choices - good against evil. But they are dark tales, which get increasingly darker as the series of books progress; less and less is left to one's own imagination as Harry Potter's struggles against his enemies. And, of course, Harry has the help of magic in all that he does. With a wave of his wand, Harry, or his friends, can summon help, trap enemies or get out of sticky situations.

 But life isn't like that. It would be good to be able to wave a magic wand and sort out the mess of things we call life. It would be wonderful to re-wind the clock and have a chance of undoing the mistakes we have made or that others have made. Despite flights of fantasy, we have to live in the real world. We cannot live an 'if only...' life.

 It is very easy to play the 'if only...' game with God. "If only you would change this, or that, then my life would be O.K. If only I did have to put up with.., then life would be bearable. If only this problem would go, I could get on with life."

 God did not wave a magic wand from a distance to sort out the problems of the world. He rolled up his sleeves and came and shared in the turmoil of life, but he did so from a position of helplessness and vulnerability.

 This Christmas many children will be receiving presents on the theme of Harry Potter. It is a time when many people will be receiving presents that they do not really need. God offers us a present that we cannot do without - His Son.

Christmas is all about a child. Which one will you be focussing on this Christmas?