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Dear Friends
We can no longer ignore it! Advent is a clarion
call, a reminder that Christmas is almost upon us, bringing with it
that vague sense of unease at our lack of preparedness.
And advice is in abundance about how to approach
the run up to the festive season. The Archbishop of Canterbury is
courting controversy by suggesting we stop using our credit cards
and substitute cash instead, to bring home the reality of what we
are spending and as a way of curbing our acquisitiveness. The
Bishop of Lichfield is urging us to wear a cross or a ‘fish’ symbol
to demonstrate our Christian allegiance, whilst another group is
asking us to consider taking over an advertising spot in our nearest
bus shelter to call attention to the essential message of the
season. Though I still chuckle at that Punch cartoon showing a
woman, laden with shopping, taking a few moments of quiet in a
church and saying to the vicar:
“You don’t mind, do you? It’s the only
place you can escape Christmas for a few minutes”
And of course, before we know it, it will all be
over! That was the theme of my Christmas Eve reflection last year,
the words recorded in Luke’s Gospel, “It came to pass”.
Which sums up life, things come and they pass.
Joy comes and passes, as does sorrow. Success comes and passes, as
does failure. The seasons come and pass. Life itself comes and
passes. Christmas will be a hard time for many of you this year as
you mourn the loss of a loved one who shared it with you last year.
Passing away is written in the world and all the world contains. |
