Christmas Present

Christmas future is far away; Christmas past is past;
Christmas present is here today, bringing things that will last.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas....

Well folks, as the Grinch found out all those years ago, you can’t stop Christmas from coming. We may not get the gifts we hoped for, and we may not be with the people we would wish to be with, and yet, Christmas comes.

It comes because Jesus came. A baby was born two millennia ago in a lowly stable, and that’s why we have Christmas. Everything else associated with the season is just window dressing – or should I say turkey dressing? Everything else - the lights, the trees, the presents the fruitcake, all of it – is meant to remind us of that night. That silent, blessed night.

It’s hard to believe that little over a week ago we were going about our business almost as if Covid was over. And now here we are again: staying home, shutting down, fearing for ourselves and our loved ones.

It looks to be a “little Christmas” once again for many of us. Just like last year, big gatherings, and even smallish gatherings, are looking like a very bad idea. I hope that we will make the effort to connect with friends and loved ones, even if it’s only over the phone. I hope that we will be able to overcome the awkwardness and embarrassment that often stops us from telling people we love them.

I’ve reached into the archives and pulled out these photos from December 2011: ten years ago. I still remember the first time I walked in on this scene at the Mission. A small group of volunteers sorting through an astonishing amount of donated food, and lovingly making up Christmas boxes for struggling neighbours. These, I told my then 8-year-old son, who had pretty much given up on believing in Santa, were real-life elves, and this was their workshop.

May that spirit of giving inspire us all this Christmas to give what we can, be it a can of beans, a kind word, a Christmas card, or a cup of coffee.

Wishing you love and light, and good health in the New Year.

Amy

[click to see more images]