Christmas is Coming

Oh dear. This is where my ‘I don’t think I need church’ argument breaks down spectacularly. I can’t do Christmas without church.

I suppose like many Christians I simultaneously love and hate Christmas. Do I love the religious element and hate the commercialism? Nothing so straightforward.

I have no axe to grind with people who don’t believe when it comes to ‘Xmas’. For them it’s an excuse to spend, eat, drink and that’s fine. I don’t even think Christmas is a particularly ‘good time for evangelism’. Get ‘em while they’re stressed? probably not!

No, I love it and hate it because of what the CHURCH has done to it. I long to celebrate the birth of Christ, the wonder and pain of the incarnation of Immanuel with like-minded believers. To take time to reflect on what it means, to read the old-familiar scriptures again and to worship using the best that hymn-writers and poets have written on the subject. To take time away from the hassle of the season and stop for a while. But not to be bored. The story of Jesus’ birth is an awesome thing. Yes, Christmas is atmospheric too. I like candles and cold buildings and music and decorations. Should I apologise for that?

For the past two Christmasses I’ve failed to find what I’m looking for. And I think others are looking for it too. People expect churches to talk and sing about Jesus being born at Christmas. Some of them even pay an annual visit expecting it. And what do we do? Novelty versions of the Christmas story (I know, I’ve done it too). We ditch the carols for songs they don’t know and seem to delight in making ‘em squirm. How lovely.

We don’t go out and sing carols because it’s cold. And pointless.

So far, my recent experiences have been…

Christmas 1 – Leader of church didn’t seem to ‘get’ Christmas. Or children come to think of it. Some tried, but if the leaders don’t care, what can you do? Among other things, they cancelled the Christmas Morning service (Dear me, we don’t want church getting in the way of a good day).

Christmas 2 – Visited a church for a Christmas service that seemed to be some sort of cabaret event. Left when one of the ‘acts’ did a twirl to reveal crosses painted on their backsides (as I’m typing this I still can’t quite believe that one).

Which brings us to 2006. I bet you’re on the edge of your seat. Will I find a Christmas service that matches my exacting standards? Will it be another horror story featuring the Christmas story told by sheep or re-enacted by puppets or read very slowly in a monotone? Watch this space. Better still, recommend a good place to go!?