RETURNING from holiday in late September, what do you see in large stores? Christmas decorations and novelties on sale. You think it's a long time off, but Christmas seems to have a habit of creeping up on you. The next thing you hear people saying that Christmas is too commercialised and there is too much gaudy merchandise.

On November 20, I marched with the joint 1st Moreton Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade band leading the procession to the Pyramids with Santa, Cinderella and Prince Charming following. Each year I have marched with the band leading the procession and each year it has rained very hard, so once again I was thoroughly soaked, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The joy of seeing the children's faces was really worthwhile.

I like to think that the organisers didn't put this on solely as a commercial venture, but also for the joy it gives to so many people. Yes, I know it can be a worrying time, but there is also the joy of giving and receiving, the bright lights and glitter, the feasting and merrymaking - the intertwining of the secular and the sacred. We prepare for yuletide and Christmas recognising the place of each in our heritage, yet knowing which is the more important emphasis.

We usually think of Christmas as a time of giving; we buy gifts, we try to share warmth and good cheer and we make extra effort to be kind and thoughtful. Never more so than at Christmas do we think of what we should be doing for others. Giving makes us feel good, but actually Christmas first involves not a spirit of giving, but a spirit of receiving.

In the birth of Christ, God offers us a love that cannot be shared until we first receive it ourselves. The real spirit of Christmas involves our readiness to receive the love God gives to us through Christ, and in his spirit through others.

If you overlook the smile of a child, or forget the thoughtfulness of your loved ones, get wrapped up in all you have to give instead of what you need to receive, then you will miss the real meaning of Christmas.

May I wish you all a joyful and meaningful Christmas with God's richest blessing.

Pastor Bert Pierpoint.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.