Merry Christmas one and all

Christmas eve seemed to be a whirl of activity and mess, and no matter how hard I worked, the clutter, paper, and sticky tape seemed to increase until it took over the house.  Wrapping, putting on bows, labels and ribbons, putting up the tree and hanging baubles, and all on my own.  I really wanted to get it finished before the family arrived.  Daughter, son in law and darling grandaughter were coming to spend Christmas with us, and I had no idea when they would arrive because of the snow. 

Now I would love to be able to say that leaving everything to the last minute is an unusual occurrance for me but that would not be true.  Christmas doesn't start for me (and no doubt millions of other teachers) until school has broken up and we have waved goodbye to all our pupils, gathered up our files and laptops and made haste to get out of the building as soon as possible. 

Time was marching on, and my deadline was 2.30p.m. because that was the time I had to leave for church.  The Christmas Eve Crib Service is an annual event in the village.   Children come along with their parents to hear the story of the birth of Jesus and I was leading the service, with the help of our church music group and a variety of helpers who I would press into service when they arrived.  It was a bit scary because it was the first time I had led the service, and the lady that had always done it in the past was a hard act to follow. 

The church was full, children, parents and noisy infants all came to hear that wonderful story.   It  was quite lovely and the children were really well behaved, helping at the right moment by carrying the nativity figures to the stable, singing and really paying attention and listening.

This is what Christmas is all about.  As I stood talking to the children I realised that all the frenzied activity of the morning was not what Christmas is about.  The calm that overtook me in that beautiful old building with a history of worship for countless generations and looking at the eager faces of the new generation of children listening with rapt attention to this beautiful story, made me realise that Christmas starts here.

Merry Christmas everyone.

God bless.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I woke this morning to a gentle blanket of snow.  For the first time in a long time, my garden looked as nice as all the neighbours gardens.

Scotland of course (hardy people that they are) have not just a gentle blanket, but several duvets of snow, causing problems for lots of people.  I wish them warmth and hot toddy's.

Snow this early in the year is very unusual in this part of the world, the worst November for 17 years apparently, but I can't help feeling a glow when I look out and see that white stuff gently falling.   It reminds me of my childhood, those hours with red noses and fingers and numb toes, but still playing outside using my mother's tea tray as a sledge and whizzing down the hills having a wonderful time.  When I was about 13 years old, back in Wales in the 60's the snow was so thick that we had to dig our way out of the front door, the windows covered so that we went down to an eerie light.  The snow lasted for weeks because the temperature stayed really low, but we still went to school, walking in our wellies, wrapped up like little ragamuffins wearing scarfs (knitted by aunties) that you would not even look at in normal circumstances.

We lived out on the edge of town, no shops so we were reliant of  mobile shops that battled through the elements to bring us food.   I don't remember too much fuss about the snow, just the enjoyment but no doubt my parents were not so keen.  My father used to go to work on his bike which is not good in the snow, so he walked about 10 miles, did a full day's work and then walked home again.   As I sit at home working on my computer and e mailing things to work, I realise how very lucky we all are.

We get upset when the car is stuck, but at least we have a car, and can work from home (well some of us) if necessary.  What really surprises me is why we always get caught out.  We have the technology to predict snow, and yet it always seems to catch us off guard and cause chaos on the roads and in schools.

Well, looking on the bright side, lots of children are having a day off to play in the white stuff. 

Wonder what the odds are for a white Christmas?

Traditions at Christmas

This year we have decided that we are going to have a traditional Christmas.  My daughter, her husband and my granddaughter will be coming to say, and hopefully my mother too.  My mother has spent Christmas with us since my daughter was quite small, and now at the age of  89, she is wondering if she can cope with the long drive, our stairs and the general upheaval of moving from her daily routine.  It will be sad but I do understand her concerns, so we have a plan 'B.'

Our plan 'B' consists of have two Christmas day's, one on the 25th and the other on the 26th.  We will spend Christmas at home with children and grandchild, and then we will all get in our cars and head for Wales for Christmas number 2.

The idea of this sent my mum into panic mode initially, but now she understands that she does not have to cook because we will be bringing everything with us, she is happy with this arrangement.  We are still hoping for plan 'A' because our tradition at Christmas includes Mum being with us as she has for so many years, but sadly things change. 

Perhaps I am being selfish.   I know that she will not be alone on Christmas day, and it will give my brother and sister the chance to spoil her.  I am going to be retired at Christmas, and perhaps I can see the time when we all go to my daughter and let her take on the joys of the Christmas turkey and all the trimmings.

Family are precious and the memories that we have of past Christmases will always make us smile and relive that wonderful feeling of being together.   Getting older has made me all the more determined to cherish time spent with my  family.

First of Advent

As a member of our Family Service planning committee, I regularly give talks to the congregation of families, with ages from babies to grandparents.  Family service  happens on the 4th Sunday of the month, and I take my turn with other members of our team to lead the 'talk.'  (We try not to think of it as a sermon because this sounds too formal, and too important for one such as I).

This month, the 4th Sunday happens to be the beginning of Advent.   Usually people expect a Eucharist service for this occasion, so I thought I had a month free from preaching.

Our Lovely incumbent is leading the service at our church, but has decided that he would really like to hear me preach.   This feels like the heavenly version of OFSTED.  I'm wracking my brains (they are in there somewhere I'm sure) to find a new angle to the 'waiting and watching' theme of Advent, one that will include all ages and attention spans.

Who was it that said 'The secret of a good sermon is a good beginning, a good ending, and they should be as close together as possible!'    I think it was George Burns but I may be wrong, however, the sentiment is good so I think I'll keep this in mind for next Sunday.

Get those Advent Calendars out, start watching and waiting because Christmas will soon be here.

Christmas is coming....!

I have just finished writing the school play.   Quite a challenge because every child in the school takes part, and a lot of them are in wheelchairs.   I do know that they will all be brilliant, and I will be so proud and probably cry.

My mission in life is to make sure that Jesus makes it into our Christmas festivities.  In amongst all the hype, jollity and general school Christmas mayhem, He can be overlooked.  

This will be my last Christmas play because I retire at the end of this term.  It is starting to look real to me now, and I am scared.

Not that I'm counting down!

I am about to retire at the end of the Christmas term. All this is a bit scary, and I am note sure what I think about it just yet.

what I do know is:

• I will have more time for my family.
• I will have more time for me.
• I really want a dog.
• I'm not over the hill and need to feel useful.
• I will love seeing more of my daughter and granddaughter.
• I will be very sad to say goodbye to colleagues and pupils at school.
• I will cry - but do my best to keep my chin up.

This is the opportunity I need to think about writing a blog (something else I have wanted to do for some time).