Christmas

Poor Santa Claus, our hard-working hero spends his year managing the toy workshop, desperately trying to keep his production costs down and output up, resting only when all the presents have been delivered to the world's good boys and girls.

Now it so happened that one year things did not all go to plan and Santa had to work very long hours to stay on schedule. This particular day the alarm clock seemed to have developed a warble to its ring, and when you've had a wee tipple the night before the thumping headache just seems to get worse.

Mrs Claus popped her head around the door saying "Oh good, you're awake, could you run down to the store and get some bacon for breakfast?", and then cheerfully adding "my mother is coming to stay for a few days". Read More

The festive season celebrated by so many of us is a time of great joy, hope for the future, and of celebration. The anticipation of the great day consumes us as we go about our business of buying presents, putting up the tree and hanging decorations, preparing special meals, the actual day itself where we get together with loved ones.

Over time the way we celebrate Christmas has changed so much that any of our ancestors from even a few generations ago wouldn't recognise our festive season. The season itself has changed so much that even people of other faith's or those with no faith are able to participate. Christmas is fast becoming a global holiday represented by Santa Claus, celebrated through gifts and parties, and offering the hope of peace and freedom for all. Read More

Is it just me, or has Christmas lost its spirit?

Recently I was talking to the six year old son of a friend about what he was hoping to get from Santa, and whether he had posted his letter to Santa at the North Pole, you know, generally trying to strike up a conversation about something he might like to talk about. I was quite surprised by his attitude that he knew perfectly well his parents would be buying his presents, he even knew what he was going to be getting.

This unsettled me. We continued to talk, about the meaning of Christmas, what they were doing at school or church, if he was looking forward to the Christmas parade in town. Read More