Recently, we paid a visit to Rochester Cathedral. It is one of those places we had not visited before so we learned another few lines of our country’s rich history.
Something else was surprising. We have become used to war memorials being adorned with wreathes all the year round. However, at Rochester, inside the visitors’ entrance is a crib scene, and further round two magnificent Christmas trees, adorned with greeting cards, remained in place. Some discussion followed in our family group.
I have been reflecting on this since. We are all at different points in our lives. In church we preach the resurrection throughout the year and every service will have within it an acknowledgement of the Trinity. Spirituality and matters related to Pentecost are often talked about but Christmas is different. Frenetic December focuses on commercial Christmas but then it is gone.
In CS Lewis’s book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Mr Tumnus says to Lucy, ‘it is always winter but never Christmas.’ He is referring to the hold over Narnia where the White Witch has caused there to be never-ending winter.
We are not in Narnia but there are those for whom life feels like endless winter. In our desire to preach Good News, starting with Christmas is no bad idea.
A Prayer
Incarnate God who brought light and joy into the world at Christmas, let us never forget that your gifts are not rationed nor restricted to a few liturgically prescribed days. May we be guided to meet any who feel as though they are always in winter and share some Christmas, whatever the time of the year. For Jesus Christ’s sake we ask it. Amen.