Don't leave it until it's too late

Christmas time is my favourite time of the year.  I guess that this arises partly through my happy childhood Christmas memories, when as a family we eagerly gathered round the Christmas tree on Christmas morning as Dad handed out the presents which were lying beneath the tree.  Then came the Christmas morning service at church, followed by Christmas lunch and some enjoyable family time together.  I can't say that watching the Queen's speech was on the agenda in those early days because for the first few years of my life we didn't have a TV!  We probably spent time playing games, having fun and generally enjoying each other's company.

I am not ashamed to say that the childlike excitement for and love of Christmas has never left me.  Even though Christmas can be a busy time for church leaders, with lots of special events and services during the period, I still love this time.  I love the lights, the decorations, the giving and receiving of gifts, the cards and letters from friends, special church events, the family times and all that goes with the season.  This year we hosted our annual family party at our manse, and it was just was well that we had moved to a bigger manse during the year as there were around 28 of us for tea!  Sadly, my brother Phil and his family in New Zealand were not able to be with us, but we were able to enjoy a video message from Phil (a bit like watching the queen's speech!)  Another Christmas of great memories.

I am very conscious, however, that for a significant number of people this Christmas will have been a far from happy time.  A couple of days before Christmas I received a phone call from a local funeral director enquiring whether I would be able to take two funeral services early in the new year.  Two ladies had died, leaving behind their husbands and families.  Losing someone is always difficult, but I wonder whether losing someone around Christmas might be particularly hard.  The bereaved have to face a time of immense sadness when many around are having fun and enjoying time with loved ones.  Not only that, but each succeeding Christmas will bring back memories of the loss.

One of the most talked about adverts of this Christmas was created by German company, Adeka.  It features an elderly gentleman who has to spend each Christmas alone because his family are apparently too busy to come and spend time with him.  He decides that the only way to get them to come is to fake his own death; when they arrive, thay are in for a big surprise!  You can watch the advert HERE.  It is a poignant and powerful reminder of the danger we all face of allowing ourselves to become so busy that we neglect vital relationships.  There will come a time when many of those close to us are no longer around, and our chance to spend time with them will have gone. We watched that ad in church on Sunday morning and we had a time of quiet reflection to consider whether there was someone we ought to make contact with.  Sometimes a phone call, a letter or a visit can mean so much.  Don't leave it until it's too late.