The Spirit of Christmas in a simple gift

And so the waiting is nearly over. Christmas eve is upon us and the anticipation in the Aitken household is palpable. Sadly for the youngest two in the house its nothing to do with the coming of the Saviour and everything to do with the potential arrival of a bearded stranger in a strange suit who will enter their bedrooms when they are asleep.... with armfuls of presents and a penchant for airtravel with animals!

Actually they are not quite that cynical. They are looking forward to the Christingle service at 6.30 which is always a wonderful riot of weans running up and down the aisle whilst adults re-live blue peter and try to make the Christingle model without dripping wax or cutting themselves.

Christingle services go back around two hundred years. You can read about the symbolism and history here. There are a number of versions of the inspiration for the service but the one I like is the story of a family in poverty telling the story of Christs coming through their gift of fruit and sweets better than others with much greater wealth. A Christmas message for us all if ever there was one.

May your Christmas be one of peace and your New Year one of hope and new living.