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.

 

 

Tags: Christmas, Jesus, More To Christmas, More To Life

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.

Tags: Christmas, Glitter, Jesus, Snowflakes, Till