It always makes me wonder what exactly I need to be "ready" for; should I boil a kettle and get some fresh towels handy?
As a Christian, I do get a bit 'bah humbug' about the ever-increasing commercialisation and spending insanity which seems to, quite frankly, over-shadow Christmas, especially when it starts in September!
Year round, I just pootle off to Church when I get the chance and do my bit for the PCC and as a Foundation Governor, and it's not something I get on my soap-box about really.
.....EXCEPT when Christmas comes around and everyone starts emptying the supermarket shelves like there's a war on, spending obscene amounts of money on things in a gift box which will be half price next week and.....calling it Xmas!
Mind you, it was lovely to see my son in his first ever nativity, complete with a sweet-smiling Mary, a sobbing Joseph (obviously overcome by the occasion), a nodding donkey (literally, bless him, he fell fast asleep) and baby X in a manger!
My gorgeous little lad was a narrator and I thought my heart was going to beat its way out of my chest as he delivered his pivotal line, 'so there in the stable, before it was dawn, a beautiful baby was wonderfully born'.
One of the proudest moments in my life which I will never forget. (I did wonder however, whether Mary would have come up with the word 'wonderful' to describe the birthing process, it's not a word that springs to my mind.)
As me and the boys send money to Sheffield Children's Hospital in lieu of buying Christmas cards, (and I don't know where you all live anyway), I just wanted to send my seasons greetings to everyone who is taking the time to read my ramblings and wish you all the very best for 2013.
Thank you for reading....."and there's more" (as Jimmy Cricket would say).
PS. For my footie mad readers, I came out with another cringe-worthy sideline mum howler on Saturday. Half way through the under 10s match a helicoper flew over so I shouted, 'look lively lads, Sky Sports is here.' I think eventually my son will beg me not to come to matches.
PPS. I was interested to read on good-old Wikipedia that the jury is out on whether Xmas is blasphemous or actually originates in the Church's history books. I just think it's not too difficult to go with the extra five letters, is it really?
Merry Christmas one and all. XXX
