The Bishop of Reading urges everyone to ask themselves, ‘what do I really want for Christmas?’
The Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury launched a website for Advent encouraging people to think about the true meaning of the holiday and reflect on the birth of Christ.
In response to the website, Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Reading, said he thinks that rushing through Christmas without thinking about the essential meaning is a trap most Christians get caught in. Getting caught up in the traditions and festivities that come along with Christmas make it hard to focus attention on the true purpose.
“Christmas carols would be a good example,” he said. “I love singing Christmas carols but it feels like we start singing them in October and a bit of ancient Christian wisdom would be the balance between the feast and the fast.”
When I got into the car on Friday Morning, the Smooth Jazz station was already playing Christmas carols!
The newspaper advertised the Parade of (Christmas) Lights competition for this year: all homes to be judged MUST be entered and decorated by December 7.
Waay too early. Although, we DID attend the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance of “Christmas Eve and other stories” on November 18. (But I can excuse that because that’s when they were here in the area!)
We were in a shop the other day in Bristol (UK) and commenting on the Christmas song playing. One of the shop workers said, ‘Christmas? Doesn’t that have something to do with Christ’s death?’ We were astounded.
Kenneth,
Try explaining to people that the 12 Days of Christmas do NOT refer to the 12 days BEFORE Christmas, but the 12 days of the Christmas season, ending with Epiphany on January 6! Talk about blank stares.
🙄