Christmas Spirit

What is Christmas spirit? I am not talking about the 18 pints of beer, three bottles of wine, one bottle of spirits and four glasses of fortified wine that the average Briton will get through in less than two weeks. (Does that make anyone else feel sick just reading it?)
You can do a quiz Here but it is the Guardian so beware!
Christmas is such an odd time. There is a commercial juggernaut that seems to set off in October forcing all who come within its path to have fun and be happy. Truth Christmas can be quite miserable I think.
Two years ago I was last in Croydon for Christmas, actually the first time I've been in Croydon for Christmas. On Christmas eve James and I went to the local Wetherspoons pub, to meet up with many of his friends. I can't quite explain why but the experience made my skin crawl, and still makes me miserable when I think about it. I only had one drink, not wanting to be intoxicated for Midnight Mass. As I stood in the crowded pub I looked around me, perhaps searching for the mysterious Christmas Spirit! The scene broke my heart, and I don't really know why. Men and women young and old. There was lots of noise and laughter but I couldn't feel any warmth or happiness. A man near the door caught my eye. He was in his late fifties, possible sixties. Wearing smart clothes but looking a bit scruffy. He wore thick rimmed glasses and was sitting on a busy table of young women, although he was not with them. He sat with his pint in front of him, a lonely island in the cacophony, a misfit. There was something about this man that made me want to cry. I think he represented the Christmas Spirit that says we should all be out having lots and lots of fun. I am so glad we're not going back this year.
Don't get me wrong I do love Christmas for many reasons. It is a time to stop, to spend time with the people I love, to look after myself (not been so hot on that this year.) A time to read, rest and relax in preparation for the new year. (I hate New Year's Eve...more on that in another post.) Since becoming a Christian I love Christmas for a whole other reason (and the right one I feel!) Every year when I hear the Christmas story I am reminded in a new way of God's meaning in my life. I like hearing with fresh ears the story, and I try to let its meaning permeate my conscious in a new way. The vicar once again preached a stonking sermon on Sunday evening at the Carol Service. In a break with tradition the link to download it is HERE (I'll have to be nice about church now!) The Vicar is good at Christmas, I feel like his sermons on the subject take no prisoners and he does not mince his words. My favourite line from this year was "Infinity became an infant." cheesy but loaded with meaning! So anyway, I cannot wait to go to church at 11pm on Sunday evening and welcome in Christmas morn, and thank God once again for the birth of his Son who saved me.

What a Promise.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this."
Isaiah 9: 2 - 7

Advent

I am nearly 27 years old, however as Friday dawned I realised that one yearly event had not happened. My mother had not sent me my fair trade chocolate advent calendar, which also recounts the Christmas story. However I remembered the little card my postie had popped through the door earlier in the week and early on Saturday I collected an advent calendar shaped package, with my mother's writing on, from the post office. Bless her - she's ace!
The Divine chocolate advent calendar gives you a small chocolate heart each day, and a sentence describing a stage in the Christmas story. It's a story I know well, one that everyone should know well. However as I open each door I try and take in the words afresh and take on board their meaning. I like to think that the heart is a sign of God's love, for me, for you and the world. It's also really yummy!
In addition I have downloaded the Evangelical Alliance Advent Prayer leaflet (if I had gone to church on Sunday I expect it may have been there too!) The blurb on this year's leaflet says:
'This prayer guide provides an opportunity this Advent to discover, reflect on and pray towards the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807.' Each day has one or two bible verses, a theme, a few sentences of introduction and points for prayer. What a great way to use advent for a focus for prayer rather than shopping.
The other week James asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My reply? 'nothing'. However my true desire for this Christmas is for warmth, comfort, rest, relaxation, friendship, fellowship, laughter, hope and expectation. I cannot wait to walk out the office in three weeks knowing I have ten days stretching out in front of me to celebrate the birth of my Lord and Saviour and share that good news with people I know.
On Christmas eve my church has two Family Services in the afternoon, simply because one isn't enough to fit everyone into the building! In the past after the second service, a group of young (18 to 30ish) people have gathered somewhere for food and then returned to church for the Midnight Eucharist. As we sat discussing this in our Mint planning evening I found myself volunteering our flat as a host venue. I am at an odd stage of life. My mother and father are 180 miles away, and James' parents are up the road. This year we are going James' parents for Christmas and Boxing Day and then onto Worcester for a while. James and I are not yet a 'family' in our own right so we split our Christmas' between two locations. Having people over on Christmas eve for me is about feeling part of a wider family. My church family. My friends, and others who I don't know so well yet. I am so excited about the thought of people filling our little flat with warmth, and love, and laughter and fellowship. The most exciting thing for me is that come 11.15 pm we'll don our coats and hats and gloves and walk up to church and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ again, together, as a family. People over the world will be doing the same.
To me, that feeling, of belonging, and living and loving for an almighty God, is better than any other present I could get.
Hannah x