FROM REVEREND ROBIN
When my Birthday is over (30th November) it officially becomes Christmas time in the Thwaites household. Even if my family has all been getting festive for the last few weeks already, I have refused to acknowledge it. We can now however, officially decorate the Rectory and start playing Saint Bublé. It becomes a time of joy and festivities, lovely smelly candles, tins of sweets in every room, and decorations hanging from every corner.
Sometimes I think, as the Rector, I should be setting an example to everyone about the true meaning of Christmas. How it is all about the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and that this modern obsession with parties and presents take away from the gift of salvation. You may know however, I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! Our house is playing Christmas tunes from 1st December until the day itself. Under our tree there are presents and pine needles, sweets and savouries. At times you may be forgiven for wondering where God is in all of this.
My understanding is that this is what makes Christ smile. Every family who celebrates the day He was born with the giving of gifts, the singing of songs, the getting together, is in fact coming together in His name. Reading stories like The Night Before Christmas and watching the Muppets Christmas Carol are keeping this wonderful news relevant in these troubled times. Rightly or wrongly, I will continue to get over excited about Christmas. Yes, I know Advent comes first and that Christmas is actually only the day itself and the days after it, but as we watch and wait for the coming of Christ we can still listen to Paul McCartney and George Michael. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many people, so let’s enjoy it and celebrate for as long as we can! However, as I think I have said before, I draw the line at seeing Christmas chocolates in the shops in September.
Ready or not, Christmas is coming. I realise as I write this there will be people struggling to make ends meet. Some who find this time of year lonely or worrying as they feel they have to compete with others and children’s Christmas wish lists. The truth of the matter is, and as corny as it sounds, when I think back to my childhood Christmas mornings, it is not the presents that I remember. Many of which I couldn’t even remember by the next Christmas. After all is packed away and New Year resolutions have been made and broken, it is the time together that sticks. Singing in the kitchen and showing Mariah Carey how to do it! Afternoons in front of the television watching rubbish television and picking at overpriced sweets. Nowhere does it say you have to buy all the things to have a Merry Christmas.
Do what makes you happy. After all, if the three wise men had brought Jesus a book, a pair of socks, and an Argos gift voucher we would still be reading about it today. He came to earth not for the gold and smellies but to give us eternal life. A gift for us, and one we celebrate every December the 25th.
People across the world will come together to eat, drink, and be merry. Presents will be exchanged. Young and old will sit together and pull crackers across the table. Now I must leave you all to go into the loft and get the decorations down. Every year I find a new ‘life hack’ to help store my twinkly lights but it never works. Whether you go big at Christmas or have a quiet one, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
You may wonder if I did anything hidden this year. Every sentence begins with a capital letter. Arrange them in order. Read a message from the Thwaites’.
