The Nativity

This is the night when gifts are delivered and there's no greater gift than Jesus Christ. There's no need for many words from me today as Advent ends and the Christmas season starts except these taken from Luke's Gospel:

Do nor be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord This will be a sign to you: You wilt find a baby wrapped in strips of cloths and lying in a manger.

Christingle

Many people name the annual Christingle service in church as their favourite of the year and it does have a magical quality when the lights are dimmed for a carol to be sung in the candlelight. St Mary's service took place this afternoon and Christingles were lit by passing the light from candle to candle. The name Christingle is from an old Saxon word "ingle" meaning "fire" or "light" hence "Christingle" equals "Christ's light" shining in the world for all to see.

Legends

In many displays at this time of year in shop windows, private houses of organised events, there is likely to be a jolly figure dressed in red. We probably all know that the colour scheme came about due to an advertising campaign for a soft drink in the 1930s but there are many legends about the givers of gifts at Christmas that pre-date Coca-Cola and each one has a different name for the giver. Whether it be Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, Old Man Frost, Baboushka, Kriss Kringle, Christkindle or one of several more, they all have one thing in common.They are magical beings who all add to the mystery and tradition of a modern day Christmas. We should not forget however the Wise Men who brought their gifts of gold frankincense and myrhh to what has proved to be the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ.

Mistletoe

Every day this year I have managed to take a photo that I have uploaded to this blog. During Advent I've been on the lookout for mistletoe to add to the series of images in December but it has proved extremely scarce this year. I did see some on Saturday and took a photo and the thought crossed my mind that I may have to cheat and upload a photo not actually taken on the day but fortunately there was a market today and the same stall was here again so I was able to get another photo:

It's a strange plant really being an evergreen semi-parasite and relying on the Mistle Thrush to sow its seed. The Druids believed it belonged to the sun god and their name for it meant "all healing" which was interpreted as bringing enemies together. In turn a kiss under the mistletoe became a kiss of peace. It is seldom used in church decorations but a Christian story relates that the mistletoe was once a tree from which the Cross on which Jesus was crucified was made. In shame it shrank and only continued to live as a parasite.

Candle Power

Although candles are now a feature of many different Christmas decorations including the Advent Ring or Wreath and of course the Christingle, they are another pagan symbol that has been adopted by the Christian religion. They were used in pre-Christian days to represent the light of the sun but after Simeon's words to Mary, the candle came to symbolize Christ's presence and have found a place in Christianity all through the year and not just at Christmas.

Robin

Several species of our feathered friends have associations with Christmas, the robin being one of the most well known and this is one I saw this afternoon.

I've known for a long time about the legend that tells of how the robin acquired its red breast after fanning the flames of the fire in the stable to keep Joseph, Mary and Jesus warm but I recently found out another tale about the robin. In Victorian times when the Royal Mail was founded, the postmen's uniforms were red as were the pillar boxes, bicycles and hand carts to make them easily identifiable. The postmen became very self conscious, were often the target of robbers and were nicknamed "Robins". They soon changed there uniforms to navy with red piping a colour scheme still in use today. So when you are posting your Christmas cards this year, remember the link to the Victorian Robins.

Easter Day

St Mary's Church was beautifully decorated this morning for Easter Day. As well as pedestal displays of flowers each pillar had a cross with a lily attached to it. The flowers are symbols of purity, virtue innocence and hope and show that Jesus is no longer on the cross. Jesus Christ is risen today - Alleluia!

It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without ....

There have been heavy snowfalls mainly down the eastern side of the country this week and I heard one weather forecaster say that it wouldn't be Christmas without snow. I don't think that is strictly true as a white Christmas in the UK is not that common but it set me thinking about the things that make for a modern Christmas.


For many people it isn't Christmas without hearing carols or popular songs including old favourites like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas", Harry Belafonte's "Mary's Boy Child", Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song" or Judy Garland's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Then of course there are more recent offerings from the likes of Cliff Richard, Wham, Wizzard, the X Factor winners and not forgetting the perennial "Merry Christmas Everybody" by Slade.

For others it's a Christmas film that makes the season - "Holiday Inn", "White Christmas", "Miracle On 34th Street", "Elf", "Santa Claus - The Movie", "The Grinch" - need I go on? There's TV regulars too like the Queen's Speech, Christmas specials of popular shows, endless repeats of programmes we've seen several times before but who would miss a Morecambe and Wise Show? "The Great Escape" or "The Eagle Has Landed" will probably be on at least one channel even if it is a satellite station and many would say that it just wouldn't be Christmas without "The Sound Of Music" - again!

For yet another group of people, it's the shopping, the baking, the turkey and the stuffing, the drinking, the merry-making and the family gatherings and while all the above contribute to making a good Christmas, isn't it time this week in particular to focus on the REAL reason for the festival - the birth of Jesus? However you celebrate, don't leave "Christ" out of "Christ"mas. After all it really wouldn't be Christmas without Him.

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One! - From 'A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens