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Vicar's Christmas Letter 2006
Dear friends, As you read this it's probably less than 4 weeks until Christmas, and less than 5 weeks until Next Year, 2007. Thinking like that always helps me to gain some perspective in the midst of all the hype and fuss that is at every turn by now. Christmas is just a day - well, in church terms 12 days, beginning on 25th December and ending with Epiphany on 6th January. We are now in Advent, a time to prepare our hearts and minds to welcome with joy the coming of Jesus. But, as we all know, there is now a huge multi-million pound Christmas industry, which has nothing to do with the coming of Jesus. And the ‘time of preparation' for this massive blow-out of food, decorations and gifts is much longer than 4 weeks. The collapse of the Farepak Hamper Company has revealed that for some families the time of planning is over a year, with careful saving as they anticipate a really special time. Those who have lost money are sensible people who plan and budget for special times in their life and look forward to a lovely celebration surrounded by friends and family. At its best the Christmas razzamatazz reflects all the abundant generous love of God that we experience in creativity and kindness in our world. But at its worst Christmas is a greedy unquenchable monster. I listened to some of the Farepak customers being interviewed: Kevin has lost £500 and is about to borrow from a loan shark putting himself deeper into debt. "I don't want to do it, but it's not an option. I've got to do it. My kids have got to have their Christmas." Vicky, a Farepak agent said "You can't go down on Christmas morning.. and say Father Christmas didn't come.". It is a disaster for people to lose money that they have saved, but what puzzles me is the unquestioned assumption that Commercial Christmas is the only, even the best, way to celebrate one day in a year of a child's life. It would be wonderful if people could use this as an opportunity to be imaginative and creative and give their children a truly memorable Christmas. Gifts can be made, surprises planned, there are free walks to go on, even places to volunteer and help. And best of all, if you shift that Day by just 24 or 48 hours there are bargains galore to be had! Somehow we need to see through the hype, through the dazzle of glitter and cash, back to the simple truth that lies at the heart of Christmas. And that truth is that God loves this world in all its glorious diversity and was willing to become part of the beauty and the pain in the infant Jesus, born in simplicity 2000 years ago. Of course, I will be celebrating Christmas, buying presents, special food and treats. The Christian church will celebrate Christmas with energy, enthusiasm and joy. And I know you will all be celebrating with friends and family. My prayer is that in the midst of the joyful celebrations you will touch something of eternity, something that goes beyond one day, and shapes all our lives in the year ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Sandra Millar
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