As most of you will know by now, Vicar Gary left us for pastures new, and this message has caught me a little unprepared.
Someone said to me recently “Christmas seems to get earlier and earlier every year”, meaning of course not the actual date, but the preparation. And there’s a difference; we spend weeks preparing for the Big Day and then, in a flash, it’s gone.
Driving around Ferryhill, sometimes even in November, we see Christmas trees in windows and lights festooning the outside of people’s houses. Adverts on TV start earlier, and children get excited earlier, and Advent hasn’t even begun.
Advent in the church is our time for preparation to receive the light of the world, Jesus Christ, at Christmas.
And you know we are all feeling the pinch, stuck in the middle of hard times, cost of living, gas and electricity prices, food shopping etc. all on the rise and some people wonder how they will make ends meet. Some even struggle to buy gifts for their children.
For many, Gary hit the nail on the head when he said last year, “Should we even bother with Christmas? Has it become just an expensive luxury? Perhaps it will be better next year.”
Unfortunately, it hasn’t become any better this year than it was last year, has it?
But it depends what we celebrate, doesn’t it?
“Joy to the world, the Lord Has come.”
Jesus came to us as a man and lived on earth with us.
I found this while browsing on the internet and thought it apt for this time of year. Maybe we would do well to observe just one or two of the points it makes:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend myriad holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the partner.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
So can I, on behalf of the church wardens and congregations of St. Luke’s, St. Aiden’s and Holy Trinity, wish you a Holy and Blessed Christmas. Our churches will be holding warm and welcoming services, so please do join us if you are able.
Happy Christmas, Les Lewis (Reader St. Luke’s)
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
