Dear Friends,
Whilst thumbing through the family photo collection recently, I found a substantial number of photos that had a winter theme. County Durham was rather prone to cold weather. There are photographs of my brother and myself in the snow, seated on a sledge that our
mother had thrown together. There we are at the top of a hill waiting to descend - the same photograph taken over different years, depicting the latest haircut and fashions of the day. Those photos act as a reminder of family times, special times.
At a garden centre last week, we were greeted with the words “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”. I amused myself for a few moments as I pondered what word might replace wonderful. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the season, I love Advent and Christmas, but I feel like it’s getting jumbled and confusing.
Many years ago, whilst working in Bristol, I was surprised to walk into a department store at the end of September to hear a brass band playing a carol. I made the point of righteously complaining to the shop assistant. I was informed that it wasn’t them, but to look out the back of the store. I admit that curiosity got me, and I joined a growing crowd watching a salvation army band playing during a heavy snow fall, a scene that would later feature on the Christmas edition of ‘Casualty’.
This year I noticed the Christmas theme appearing in the shops in September. I have this past week been following the complaints on social media, about a certain Norfolk town switching on their Christmas lights earlier than is usual, apparently driven by the local shopkeepers. Last year I was told by a shop assistant a couple of days following Christmas day that the celebration was officially over, and it was now time to put out the Valentines displays. So much for the 12 days of Christmas!
It was good to look back at the family photos. As well as the winter scenes there were plenty of photos depicting the joy of Christmas. It was interesting to see the different gifts we received, an action man, chemistry set. We were very fortunate, and Christmas was always worth the wait. Bygone days maybe; perhaps we simply need to revisit the rhythm, the ebb and flow, for in the Advent season we wait in anticipation of the greatest gift ever.
Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving.
May I wish you a blessed, peaceful and timely Advent and Christmas.
Rev'd Colin