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I have such lovely memories of Christmas past; my father patiently unscrewing every coloured fairy light to find the broken one followed by the family cheer when he was successful; a special table cloth placed on the sideboard ready for fizzy drinks that were only permitted at Christmas; the cupboard of tasty treats added piecemeal over the preceding months bought out of the weekly budget; enthusiastically decorating the tree before colour coordination or minimalism were embraced, writing letters to Father Christmas to throw into the fire so they would float up to him in the sky; ‘helping’ mum decorate the Christmas cake with plastic ornaments; making sticky peppermint creams and marzipan stuffed dates.  All precious moments filled with the season sentiments of love, wonder and joy.

 It was only in my adulthood that I experienced the awe and anticipation of attending midnight Communion on Christmas Eve and appreciated the depth of the Christian message in the birth of Jesus.

My childhood Christmas was filled mainly with excitement, but I did appreciate that everyone seemed a bit kinder and more caring through the season.  Now as an adult the emotions attached to this special time have grown to include a tangible mixture of faith, hope and love.    

Every time I celebrate the Eucharist at midnight on Christmas Eve I have an overwhelming sense of new beginnings, a time of renewal of faith not only in a sense of religious traditions but also deep within my soul. I am left with a powerful sense of God’s love and a renewed desire to share that love.  

Christmas is enchanting but the potential held within our hearts is even more magical. Our ability to love one another, to renew our faith and bring hope into our lives and the lives of others, are the greatest of gifts to bestow and receive at Christmas. The greatest presents are not those wrapped in expensive paper or dressed in colourful tags and bows they are the gift of generosity of time and unconditional love that we give to each other.  

This time of year, as we come together to celebrate the birth of our saviour, the one who makes all things new, let us turn the page, sing a new song, hold our hands up high and shine a light… together. We can be the light; we can be the song and we can be the sanctuary. And when we gather together in faith, we become a church.  

May you have a magical Christmas.