Rant

OK, time to get this off my chest.

I am fed up with Christmas.

But this year it is different, this year its not the stupid commercial crap that surrounds it, its not the over indulgence, the binge drinking, the stupid adverts, the crush of people, the general exploitive nature of this season.

No its the attack on the Christmas story, the attack of the meaning. I am fed up of seeing our society blasting out how we need to respect all religions, whilst not daring to be too "Christian" with our own. Rebecca has celebrated Divali, and a load of other ethnic celebrations. BUT come to Christmas. OH NO, can't do a nativity, can't send a Christmas card, can't mention Christ. Might offend. What about sending my daughter home with a light that she has made, and encouraging us to light it.

Its not the other activities that bother me, there is no real issue there. BUT please oh please, don't transform our own activities into a third class activity. Its like positive discrimination, its proving that all this commercialization is working. Where is the meaning of Christmas.

So here is an idea. Next year I'm thinking of having 9 Services that would run from the 1st through to the 23rd. Nine services that are quick, simple, and quiet. Based around the nine traditional readings. A bit like Grace's NINE service, but spread out across Advent. A place to escape, but fully enter into our season of waiting.

It won't solve the issues, but it will secure a communities chance to remember.

Hold me to this one.