John Betjeman’s famous Christmas poem begins with advent and describes well our
own experiences today – indeed doesn’t that last line sound like a couple of places
perhaps up near Cookham (actually they are colours of water paints!).
The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.
The preparations for Christmas are well under way with lights blazing in the streets,
shopping trips being made, mince pies on sale since August! Those poor people in
their vans delivering our online shopping must be worn out…and I wonder whether
all the cable-related roadworks will be finished in time? Of course, daily life goes on.
Amidst all the preparations, those of us who are in a job still have to work, those
retired must play golf (???), those who are poorly must fill in their e-consults, and the
kids have the nativity plays to rehearse!
But advent, the time to prepare for Christmas, hopefully also gives us time to
contemplate the meaning of the season. Many, by the sounds of the fireworks, have
already celebrated Diwali which reminds us of the triumph of light over the darkness,
the bringing in of the harvest and divine gifts to us as mortals. But Christmas isn’t
just about plenty of wonderful food, piles of presents and a few days off work.
Christmas is when Christians celebrate the birthday of Jesus – a man revered
across different religious traditions, a man who fought for the rights of the outside, of
the poor, of the meek. A man who challenged the authorities and wandered the
length and breadth of what we might call today Israel/Palestine with his group of
friends. A man who would show how much he loved us by dying on a cross on Good
Friday and rise again on Easter Day.
One of the amazing things about Jesus was how often he spent time with people
around the meal table. His enemies called him, rather unfairly, a glutton and a
drunkard (Matthew 1:19). He didn’t just have meals with his friends, but also with tax
collectors (do you know the story of Zacchaeus), with his friends (???) in the Jewish
leadership, at weddings and village celebrations. Indeed, his established the
traditions around church services as a time to eat bread and drink wine. He even
said that where two or three believers are gathered today, he is there among them.
Why not pop in over Christmas and have a chat about that with us?
Perhaps, as well, if you are facing a lonely Christmas, you might pray that Christ will
be known to you whatever Christmas brings. Many churches and many other places
around Maidenhead will be offering hospitality this Christmas. Hopefully, there is
space for all to celebrate and to remember that Jesus came to bring hope and joy
and peace to all humanity. As Betjeman finishes his poem:
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?
…And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?
Merry Christmas
Pete Phillips, Minister at High St Methodist Church and St Marks Crescent Methodist
Church.