I went to our family church Carol Service last night – the whole
point of Christmas is lost if there is not an acknowledgement of the reason for
this celebration, which has become lost in a quagmire of forced consumerism – a
time to spend whatever you managed to save during the year (or use the last of
your credit limit) to buy gifts way beyond what is required by the ordinary
man.
I am not the least of these offenders, although the list has
shrunk considerably over the years, because I like to give presents, even without reciprocal gifts. But wait! I
have completely gone off the track!
As I was saying, the point of Christmas is to celebrate the
birth of Jesus, upon whose teachings the Christian faith is based, although
interpretation and adherence can best be described as thoroughly interfered
with by man. And once again, I drift off the track! That is the subject of
another blog, maybe or maybe not.
Mom and Dad, now in their mid-80s, have been stalwarts of St
Margaret’s for more than 50 years, and still sing in the choir. Most important
events in the family have been celebrated there – baptisms, confirmations,
weddings (no funerals that I recall). Sitting in the pew behind me was a woman
who I remember from way back in the 60s and it struck me that we have both been
in that church together on various occasions for more than 50 years. While I freely admit to being slack in the
churchgoing arena, I am more than happy for everyone to do whatever makes them secure
and particularly if it is something that contributes to the greater good of the
world.
I still enjoy singing the carols that I remember from my
childhood – they have not changed although the odd word or two has been
modernised, for no good reason – and look forward to this annual celebration in
old, familiar surroundings where I can sing as loudly as I like and know that I
am no worse than the person doing likewise next to me.
For those who observe this season from a different angle, it
remains a season of peace and goodwill towards man.
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