From the Pen of Rev Steve
Recent copies of the minister's letters from Rev Steve.
These are reproduced from the monthly Newsletter.
December 2024: Christmas Traditions
In Norway there is a Christmas tradition that families exchange books on Christmas Eve. They then cozy round a fire, eat sweet treats and read out loud to each other. In Mexico it is a little livelier with pinatas hung from a tree etc., although they are unlikely to be a donkey, instead focussing on brightly clad stars with seven points. The stars symbolise the seven deadly sins which are then beaten into submission with a stick, before the candy falls to the ground. Finally if you live in Japan, there is a tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas day!!! Much of what we do in this country might seem strange to other cultures but it has become our normal, often started in the Victorian era.
There was a post on Facebook this week noting that an individual visited the switching on of the lights in Sidmouth. The person was perplexed as throughout the whole of the proceedings there was no mention of Jesus. It is fair to say that for the majority of people, Christmas has returned to its original pre-Christian, pagan festival, where there is an opportunity to celebrate and gather in the depths of winter around the shortest day of the year.
I am always reluctant to impose my own faith and religious discipline on others but Christmas without Christ is no different to the FA Cup final - you can buy all the merchandise you like, travel to Wembley and soak up the atmosphere, but it would feel somewhat hollow without the actual game of football. Rather than chastise the tendency to non-religious celebrations, I believe it would be more prudent to focus on our own personal traditions. I am not wishing for us to jettison any traditions that we retain during this season of Advent and Christmas but it might be wise to start a new tradition that helps us to tilt our focus more towards the Christ in Christmas.
One of the books that I recently gave to the lady baptised in our church was written by Andrew Roberts and was entitled Holy Habits. I rate the book and have often dipped into it over the years. Studies show that on average we have to do something 66 times before it becomes a habit (or a tradition). With regards to Christmas traditions that will take nearly a lifetime to bed down, but if done on consecutive days that is only two months. I offer you three habits that you might be tempted with from this year onwards:
A thoughtful Christmas to you all.
Steve
There was a post on Facebook this week noting that an individual visited the switching on of the lights in Sidmouth. The person was perplexed as throughout the whole of the proceedings there was no mention of Jesus. It is fair to say that for the majority of people, Christmas has returned to its original pre-Christian, pagan festival, where there is an opportunity to celebrate and gather in the depths of winter around the shortest day of the year.
I am always reluctant to impose my own faith and religious discipline on others but Christmas without Christ is no different to the FA Cup final - you can buy all the merchandise you like, travel to Wembley and soak up the atmosphere, but it would feel somewhat hollow without the actual game of football. Rather than chastise the tendency to non-religious celebrations, I believe it would be more prudent to focus on our own personal traditions. I am not wishing for us to jettison any traditions that we retain during this season of Advent and Christmas but it might be wise to start a new tradition that helps us to tilt our focus more towards the Christ in Christmas.
One of the books that I recently gave to the lady baptised in our church was written by Andrew Roberts and was entitled Holy Habits. I rate the book and have often dipped into it over the years. Studies show that on average we have to do something 66 times before it becomes a habit (or a tradition). With regards to Christmas traditions that will take nearly a lifetime to bed down, but if done on consecutive days that is only two months. I offer you three habits that you might be tempted with from this year onwards:
- Habit 1 - Read Luke’s account of the Christmas story. (Luke 1:26 - Luke 2:20) in one sitting at some point during Advent or Christmas.
- Habit 2 - Offer hospitality to someone during Christmas that you wouldn’t normally connect with, in one of the many coffee shops in Sidmouth. By so doing you can share the good news of Christmas.
- Habit 3 - Buy a gift for a stranger at Christmas. This could be via the many good charities , and by so doing remind yourself of the first gift of Christmas.
A thoughtful Christmas to you all.
Steve
From the Pen of Rev Steve
I offer you three habits, this Christmas, that you might be tempted with...