When is it too early?

On October the 1^st I heard that it was coming and had my first sighting on television.  Since then, it has come closer and the noise about it has got louder. 

Yes – Christmas is coming and now that it’s November we will be hard pushed to avoid the fact – especially when we’re shopping. In almost every supermarket and department store in the next few weeks we will hear Christmas carols playing.  We may well be irritated by the 78^th rendition of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ but there is a bright side.  Each carol shares something of the true meaning of Christmas – every time they are played or sung that meaning is shared.  And someone may truly hear it for the first time.

The financial crisis, and the pressure and anxiety that many of us are facing because of it, means that the commercial Christmas may be less attractive this year.  Some of us will be seeking a simpler way of preparing and celebrating. One of the ways the parish churches of Pilton, Croscombe, North Wootton and Dinder plan to do this is by each offering a ‘Quiet Morning’ on a different Saturday during Advent.  The mornings will be a way of taking some time out from the busy-ness, to be still and relax. There are more details in this magazine.   

One of the greatest irritations about the commercial push to get us all geared up to Christmas is that it seems to happen earlier each year.  I once asked a store manager why Christmas things were on sale in July – and was told that it was because planning had to start at Easter!  When I discovered this, it was no longer a surprise that the shop was so far ahead of me – Christmas had become something to be got through. Another job to be done.

So when do you think it is too early to prepare for Christmas?

From my own point of view, I think the answer is probably never.  As we enter Advent at the end of the month, we remember that we are not only preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus but are also looking forward and preparing for the time when He will return.  The preparation began a long time ago but we’re nowhere near ready.  This year, as part of this preparation, we will be marking the beginning of Advent on 30^th November with a United Advent Service at Croscombe Village Hall at 3pm – this will be suitable for people of all ages and you will be very welcome.   I hope you can join us.                                                                  

Lydia  Avery