Well now it’s December I can fully immerse myself into the Christmas Spirit and stop shouting at Andy while he is subconsciously whistling Christmas songs ‘STOP IT, IT’S STILL NOVEMBER!’. I have told anyone that will listen about my outrage that on November 26th in Basildon’s Shopping Centre, the queue for Santa’s Grotto was ridiculous. I don’t want to get in the mood too early or I will end up utterly fed up by the time we get there!

So I turned over my calendar on my desk to find a picture of Woody from Toy Story with a little bit of holly and a nice American caption ‘Happy Holidays’.* My advent calendar (I’m very grateful to Andy for saving me from grumpyness and nipping to Sainsbury’s yesterday to get me one) is ‘Merry Christmas! From Peppa and George (Pig)’ – coincidentally the same advent calendar as my 4 and 3 year old nieces. I’m (we’re) surrounded by all this snow and sparkle covered festivity, with very little reference to the true meaning of Christmas. My housemate Karen’s parents bought us a little advent calendar card which we opened the first door of yesterday and there was a picture of a lady dressed in blue…with ‘Mary’ written next to it. It’s a sad time where on the picture of the nativity you have to write the names of the characters in case people don’t know.

More and more Jesus is squeezed out of Christmas – so what are we doing about it this year? How are we making sure we are focusing on the right things this Christmas? How are we not getting so sucked in to the glitz and extras that we forget to communicate the real meaning of Christmas with those around us?

We’ve managed to get tickets to be in the audience of Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Comedy Roadshow, filmed on 13th December, on air on Christmas Day. (I’m VERY excited!) So you may possibly see me on TV on Christmas Day. That got me thinking, if I could wear a T-Shirt with anything written on it that potentially millions of people could see on Christmas Day, what would I want it to say? What one thing would I want to say about what I believe Christmas is really about?

I don’t have answers yet, but take a second to think about it! Viz-A-Viz Ministries have produced the More To Christmas DVD in a card – a great conversation starter to send to friends/families/neighbours – featuring real stories of real people and how God has changed their lives. For more information visit www.vizaviz.org

 
*I was pleased the other day whilst listening the Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 1 that as he read out a text containing the word ‘Xmas’ he said ‘No, not Xmas, Christmas, please keep the Christ in Christmas.

I’d love to hear your comments of how you are ‘keeping the Christ in Christmas’ this year.

The main event before Christmas was More Than A Story, the event that Andy, Rich, Sam and Myself had been busy putting together for the previous few months. Unfortunately we only ended up with one booking, at my home church in Braintree on the 18th December. If anyone was in the area that day they’ll remember that a ridiculous amount of snow fell in a very short time! The consequences of this were that Den couldn’t physically get to Braintree from South Woodam Ferrers so Rich had to step in to his role as main speaker and I took over from Rich as one of the quiz hosts. The snow also stopped many people from coming so we only had about 25 in the audience but it was still brilliant. My Dad did his best to embarrass me at every turn but this just added to the fun and relaxed atmosphere. We were really happy with how the event went and hope that it made an impact on those who were there. I was very happy with my newly purchased fairy lights to decorate!

Christmas break was spent with various combinations of mine and Andy’s family. I stayed at my sister’s on Christmas Eve and helped Maddie and Emi get ready for Father Christmas…when they woke up in the morning (surprisingly not til 7.30am) he had left footprints on the floor which made them so excited!! Then he came back while they were eating breakfast with more presents! It was very surreal and for a small moment I felt like it really was Father Christmas and not Matt’s Dad in a very good hire suit! My parents and Matt’s parents came for dinner and we had a really lovely day of present opening and fun together. I travelled up to Andy’s in Selby on Boxing Day and we spent a few days relaxing there with his family and then came back to Braintree to see my brother and co who were staying at my parents. It was a really nice time and made me rethink the things that were important to me. I think my 2 favourite moments over Christmas were when Maddie almost fell asleep on me on Christmas Day – the feeling that she felt perfectly safe in my arms (plus she never normally sits still long enough for cuddles!); the other was taking Chloe and Sam to the park and Chloe saying ‘This is so much fun, I love my Auntie Laura’. Knowing that you can make someone happy, knowing that they want to be with you is the nicest feeling in the world!

Now it’s back in the swing of things – preparations, planning, events etc! Andy and I went to Holland with Taste 14th-24th January which was great. We did a few church services, gigs, a children’s club and a day of workshops with youth leaders from the area. Our hosts Sieb and Douwe were incredible – so welcoming and constantly feeding us amazing food!! It’s great to meet people who speak a different language, do things differently but know we’re worshipping the same God. It’s difficult to know the impact of what we have done, we just have to trust God used us!

Now back and refreshed after a couple of days off I’m concentating on the next few things. Have a look at my calendar for more details on what I’m up to but here’s a rough idea:

Sunday 30th Jan: Helping Ed with a Family Service in Sandy
Fri 4th- Sun 6th Feb: Going to Children’s Ministry Conference in Eastbourne to help with the Arise Exhibition Stand.
Fri 11th Feb: Solid Remix at Chelmsford Cathedral

Please pray for all the preparations and safe travel as well as good health for everyone involved!

I would also really appreciate your prayers for my finances. Currently my monthly incoming matches my immediate bills (rent, phone, contact lenses and travel), so that doesn’t give me anything left over for food, leisure, and buying birthday presents!! Please pray whether you might be able to support me with either a one off gift or more regularly.

Thank you!

This seems to be becoming a Christmas Tradition.

I started to feel a bit yuck Christmas Eve, then woke up with a sore throat on Christmas Day, then sniffles on Boxing Day, then the whole lot this morning.

It’s ok though, hasn’t affected the festive celebrations! Christmas Eve was busy getting everything done and visiting my nan in Braintree, then Christmas Day was Church in the morning and Sarah, Matt, Emi and Maddie came round for dinner and the afternoon. Boxing Day we went to see my nan in Ongar and today we’ve been to London to see the lights.

It’s been a good few days spending time with family. I quite enjoy the kind of days that only happen round Christmas…where it’s perfectly ok to sit down in the afternoon and watch TV and it’s fine to just eat all day long!

The next few days will be a bit busier, and then it’s up to Lowestoft on New Year’s Eve for a party and for Dan and Jen’s Wedding on the 2nd Jan. I can’t wait!

So I’ve been pretty rubbish at blogging lately…I hope to fill in the gaps as and when I have time!

Its Christmas Eve Eve…I’ve made gift tags but have run out of enthusiasm to wrap presents. Me and mum made mince pies and sausage rolls this morning, a true Christmas tradition. I then had an opticians appointment and am hopefully back on monthly lenses, but this is unlikely to be straightforward. Where my eyes are concerned it very rarely is! I spent the afternoon at my sisters. She went out to Freeport while Maddie and I made snowflakes and covered them in stickers, pom poms and glitter and stuck them on the windows. Emi was asleep and when she woke up she had some lunch and then we played together. It was Maddie’s birthday on Saturday (3!!) and I bought her a till from the Early Learning Centre. It’s actually amazing!! Properly calculates the cost and has chip and pin! We spent some time playing shops…I loved it!!

Christmas this year will be at home with Sarah, Matt, Maddie, Emi and bump coming round for dinner. We’ll see Russell, Becci, Chloe and Sam on the 30th. I’m looking forward to seeing people, watching Christmas TV and eating the sausage rolls I have made.

Was thinking today about the panic that leads up to Christmas. Braintree town centre today was packed and ridiculous. There’s just so much stuff that has to be done, traditions, presents to be bought and the pressure to have a good time. What is it that makes Christmas a good time? Why do we do it? What are we celebrating?

I’m remembering the incredible birth of Jesus. We all know the story, but it’s not just a story. It happened. And Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew into a man, transformed lives then, and now 2010ish years on is still transforming lives. Wow. That’s what I’m celebrating. And while all the frills that come with Christmas are nice and fun and I will enjoy it…it’s not the be all and end all. Maybe that takes the pressure off a bit.

I hope you all have a really lovely Christmas and enjoy spending time with the people that are important to you. Here’s to a fabulous 2010.

Went to see Michael McIntyre at the O2 last night….was brilliant!!!! Very funny, I hurt quite a lot from laughing!! Also, watched Monsters vs Aliens yesterday…really disappointed! Looked good from the trailer, but the film really wasn’t that good. The bits from the trailer were the only good bits!

This week we’re in the office preparing for Christmas! Feels far too early…but when we come back from tour it will be a week til our first show!