Nativity scenes, giant sock-like stockings, roast turkey, glazed gammon, steamed Christmas pudding, rich fruit cake covered in marzipan and plastic icing, twinkling lights, fake, perfectly round snowmen, crackers with funny sayings in them, odd looking hats, champagne, ginger biscuits, family, Christmas trees looking like – well - Christmas trees, angels, carols, Salvation Army trumpeters at shopping centres who make you weep by the mournful tunes they play on their slightly off key instruments , children rushing around having photos taken with a jolly fat man dressed in red, and presents. This can mean only one thing – it is Christmas time again.
Although the meaning of Christmas is deeply personal and different to everyone, the trappings are the same. The shops have specials on items you simply cannot live without, there is fake snow in the windows, and huge trees grace the open spaces of shopping malls covered with wonderfully coloured, elegant decorations; and the little drummer boy rum pum pum pums through your head.
I find Christmas an ambiguous time – when I am torn in two pieces: the one piece, like a child, revels in the majesty of the superficial and materialistic world created by the cunning marketers and decorators – like a dream full of happy sounds and merry sights; filled with warm smells of baked goodies, and the laughter of family members and children as they meet, and play, and have fun.
The other piece celebrates the advent of the Christ child, the birth of the Saviour. Although Christmas always depicts Him as a little child in a manger, He is the Almighty One, and we remember His birth with praise and thanks, ever mindful of His purpose on earth.
Happy Birthday Jesus, and merry Christmas everyone. May we all be blessed and well-rested over this festive time, and remember the real reason for the season.
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