Coming Soon!!

Two days to Christmas. If all the predictions are true it will be another good one. People may not be spending as much this year. At least that was the fear of many businesses, but researchers suggest it may not be too different after all.

It is a time of family get togethers and seeing relatives and friends we haven't seen for awhile. It is a time for celebration and good will. Christmas is often said to a time when materialism and cynicism take the place of religion and the real message is lost. Not entirely. There may be some pagan elements. We live in a materialistic and secular society and for some people it may simply be a cycle of Christmas one year after another and basically the same every time, but for Christians it has direction. It is not so much a circle as a spiral. It is going somewhere. We put it into practice as we live it out on our journeys. There is a great sense of unity. Everyone is about the same business. It is a time of expectation. We all want to enjoy Christmas and have a good time. We can also spare a thought for the less well off and the poor and lonely. Loneliness at any time is bad but at Christmas it must be the worst thing.

Some social enterprises and not-for-profit businesses work at Christmas. They deserve our support. It is one of the Church's busiest times of the year. Extra services will be held at the usual unusual times in addition to the usual times. They will probably be well attended. There is always a better turn out at Christmas. It is a sign that something is happening. It is a behaviour pattern with great potential. It means a religious festival is accepted and respected in whatever way, spiritual or material. Christmas is a good time of year!