Dear Friends,
So when is Christmas exactly?
In editing an issue which covers both December and January I have a yearly problem. It always seems to me that there is a disconnect between the two months: there is the colour and vibrancy and festiveness of December, then a short, seemingly secular, celebration at New Year. And then a sharp change of mood - an abrupt return to work and to school – or, if not those, then to a medley of medical appointments, the dentist, the optician, bad weather and bills – plus Dry January for those who choose. It is tempting to allow the newsletter (which is read in December anyway) to concentrate on December and forget January. But I would like to suggest that there is a way for us to see December and January as a unified whole. It is called Christmas.
One approach to this conundrum is to say that our activities before and after 25th December may be the wrong way round. Abstinence belongs in Advent (not January, Dry or not) along with waiting and spiritual preparation. We all know this, and many of us do try to set aside some quiet time, while the true meaning of Advent is reflected in our services, and this year’s Advent prayer meetings. But we cannot always avoid the practical preparations. We have to attend the grandchildren’s nativity plays in December, because that is when they take place; we know that the once-a-year churchgoers will not come at all if we don’t hold carol services before Christmas to draw hem in; we have to buy the food and presents and cards in advance if they are to be cooked, wrapped and delivered at the right time. And those busy December activities need not be inconsistent with what
Advent means. They are often full of love, and sometimes, especially for children perhaps, there is serious self-denial involved in keeping those treats and secrets hidden right up to Christmas Day.In any case, the difference between pre- and post- Christmas is nuanced. December has its own bleakness (we remember the doors of the inn firmly shut) and in this church we acknowledge that, with a special service for those whose Christmas memories may be very sad.
January continues the joy of Christmas with the arrival of the.magi at Epiphany. And we do not allow the New Year to pass simply as a secular occurrence, but we pause to reflect on new beginnings and sometimes to make new formal commitments. But even so, there is still a lot of January left after all that, and while Advent may include some premature celebration, we are surely fully justified in continuing it in January after the birth has actually taken place.
Some Christian denominations, though not ours, continue some level of formal Christmas celebrations right up to Candlemas, on 2nd February, which marks the final event of the Christmas story as told by Luke. This was the presentation of Jesus in the temple, giving rise to the prayers of Simeon and Anna. We need not keep our decorations up that long, but perhaps we can do a little more to carry the joy of Christmas right through January, especially this year as we start 2026 by introducing our Warm Space, surely a proper Christmas enterprise.
I wish you health, happiness and much joy, throughout the whole of the Christmas season, and far beyond.
Christine