All Saints’ Church Gift Day
On behalf of All Saints’ PCC, a big ‘Thank You’ to all those who supported All Saints’ Gift Day so very generously in October, we raised £5458.02. Thank you again for your very generous support. If you would still like to give a gift, it’s not too late, please direct any envelopes to David Gale at 1A Lilac Close. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
December Thoughts
Back in October, the kids, Ziggy, Rich and I stayed in Shropshire for a few days. They were special days as we were staying in the place where I used to celebrate Christmas every year with my family. I wasn’t brought up there, but every Christmas Eve we’d trek west and arrive at this remote house on top of a hill owned by my uncle and aunt. The fire was always lit, the dinner was on and every time I’d end up sleeping on the floor downstairs in a sleeping bag in front of the glowing embers waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. I will never forget one year finding the goose we were going to eat for Christmas Day being stored in the washing machine!? Also, another memory I have was being given the hand whisk to whip up the cream for the trifle, and later discovering the rather new looking electric one – I suppose that’s one way to keep a child busy! We won’t go back there again as my uncle is selling up, which made the journey in the autumn extra special. I hope our children aren’t too young to remember their stay.
When we look back on our childhood Christmases I wonder what memories you have. For me, it was about a journey full of anticipation and being welcomed back somewhere that felt like home. Christmas for me is still like that, it’s the time when we are reminded of another journey full of anticipation – the coming of Jesus into the world, Emmanuel, God with us. Especially after a year of uncertainty, as Christmas approaches I am drawn back to the place that reminds me of where my hope is found.
In the New Year, the tinsel is packed away, and the sparkle disappears. There was certainly no sparkle at the first Christmas until the wise men turned up quite a bit later offering their gift of gold. However, along with that gift for the baby in the manger, they also offered frankincense and myrrh which spoke of the kind of life and death Jesus would have. I hold onto the fact that this baby did not grow into yet another wise man, but a saviour, and for that I am deeply thankful.