The Great Christmas Expectation!

The big day is almost upon us! Christmas Day.The one day in the Christian year when more or less everything stops and people look forward to a day of celebration and the exchanging of gifts. 

 There are many interpretations of Christmas around the world, and depending on geographic location, it can vary considerably.

 In the U.K. Christmas is sold as an almost mythical holiday, with joy, love, peace and  happiness being the objectives, with family, friends and acquaintances coming together and celebrating, whilst settling any grievances which may have occurred during the year.

 Preparation for all of this is generally very stressful, and depending on family size requires a substantial budget, however all the stops are pulled out in order to create and deliver this one special day in the year.

In line with our materialistic society, vast amounts of money are spent on gifts and food.

 Traditionally, children were at the centre of Christmas Day, as requests for a particular item would be lodged well in advance, with the carrot of good behaviour helping the item to hopefully materialize.

 The anticipation and excitement as the 25th drew closer, could hardly be contained.

 The more mature amongst us will have a totally different memory of Christmas Day to that of youngsters today.

 Many children  are now in the fortunate position of receiving items throughout the year, so a little bit of the Christmas expectation and magic have disappeared.They are also very specific about items on their Christmas List.

 Christmas  is of course a Christian celebration to mark the birth of Jesus, who was born in very lowly circumstances, and went on to leave his mark throughout the world as a remarkable individual.

 This year in particular, we should pause the festivities and acknowledge that the area where Jesus was born, does not enjoy peace, love and joy, indeed quite the opposite.

 In fact looking around, it is quite difficult to find an abundance of these qualities in many places.

 Yet another war torn year has passed in Ukraine, with the loss of thousands of young men in particular.

 Regardless of political points of view, thousands more have been displaced from countries to which they cannot return for a variety of reasons, and look to be relocated.

 Many of these people are not Christians, but share their own particular faith, and are human beings with families, expectations and dreams just like everyone else, but have been dealt a particular set of unfortunate circumstances.

 We need look no further than our own country to witness the rising number of people without a home, and the huge mountain of social problems that are around us.

 It is a day of mixed emotions as some family members may be missing.

 It is with that backdrop that we move into another Christmas Day.

 Despite these negativities, people will make the most of the day.

Excited children will open presents, Christmas dinners will be eaten, and various family traditions will take place.

Within a day it will be over for yet another year, and life will go on.

For many it will have fulfilled a magical family time, and for others less  so.

Every year lots of people such as NHS staff and those in vital services are still working on Christmas day, which allows the rest of us to enjoy our holiday.

It is a strange time of year, with so much hinging on one particular day, and how commercialism and materialism have rather overtaken the original reason for celebration.

 However, Christmas in whatever way you mark it, shows little sign of diminishing, so if you are in the lucky position of being able to meet the brief, relax, enjoy the day,  and be grateful for what you have.

Wishing a happy day to everyone.