Christmas Reflections

Another month and I'll be ready for Christmas is how I'm responding when people ask how preparations are going. Christmas is four days away. One excuse is that we've had our kitchen done, including a wall knocked through. It is mostly finished, but there's still some painting to do and the endless dust to try and tame. It wasn't planned, rather an opportunity for a second-hand, but excellent quality kitchen and appliances. Fortunately I'm not cooking Christmas Dinner this year (my first attempt, which seemed to go down quite well was last year). This has meant I've been able to plan a few home made gifts for family. I intended to do this last year, but ran out of time. I get a good feeling making and eating things that have taken time and patience to prepare. It makes me appreciate the delicate balance of luck and skill in bringing a harvest in, baking something delicious or creating something unique that money can't buy.


Whilst I've been stirring the chutney or wrapping gifts I've be reflecting on what is important at Christmas for me. We've just returned from London, visiting old friends and family. There is something incredibly special about sharing a meal with people you have known for years, or even decades. recounting memories, listening to rather exaggerated tales and watching the next generation play. In this case one of the people we saw was a life-long friend of my husband's business partner.  He has had a long list of jobs and a rather colourful life it has to be said. I fondly remember that he happened to be the taxi driver who picked up my husband and I the night things turned from friends to something more. I also managed to go to my old church. The congregation was pretty much the same, if a decade older and it felt like home walking into the building.


Christmas is of course important to me because of my Christian faith, but what is faith without action or response? I feel fortunate this year that we are going to see more family and friends over the Christmas period than other years. There will be food, gifts and hopefully dancing on New Year's Eve. It is spending time with all these people and in doing so acknowledging that even where we have opposing opinions or a different view of the world, they are each an important part of the fabric of our lives that makes Christmas special for me.



I hope wherever you are and whoever you spend time with this Christmas and New Year, you have an opportunity to reflect.  I hope when you reflect you find many reasons to smile at the wonderful people you get to share your life with. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!