I wonder what the first week of Advent brought for you? Has it put you in the Christmas mood or was it no different from any other week?
In our house, our normal December morning routine starts with the girls running downstairs to open the door of their Advent calendars. It’s the only time of the year they seem keen to get up! This year, on the first morning of the month there was an additional surprise in that there were four presents sat in front of the fireplace. This act of giving a gift on the first day of Advent is common in
other countries, though I had to admit it was not something I had come across before. What was the gift you wonder? This year’s Christmas sweater! Last year’s jumper – a red knitted one, with reindeer plus customary red pompom nose – arrived during the month. This year, it’s arrived at the beginning of the month with matching slippers! Therefore, I’m sure this jumper will have a few
more outings than its predecessor.
Christmas jumpers are quite the fashion nowadays, there is even a Christmas Jumper Day (December 12th) that raises money for Save the Children. For a small donation to Save the Children many places will allow you to wear a Christmas sweater to work or school. The statistics quoted by Save the Children are quite alarming: “6.6
million children still die before their fifth birthday every year, most from easily preventable illnesses like malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia. Some don’t survive simply because they can’t get enough nutritious food. Here in the UK, 3.5 million children are living in poverty. Too many families here can’t afford nutritious food, heating, household essentials like a cooker, or good quality
childcare.”
Here at The Salvation Army, we recognise the needs of families in our area and this week begin our Christmas response to our community. Demand is higher than ever and we anticipate providing at least 400 toy sacks and 400 food parcels to help families that are struggling to make ends meet. If I am being honest, I am concerned as to how we are going to do it. That said, I know we will do it.
Adaptability and resourcefulness have been part of our character from day one and so we will make it happen.
This was also the character of a young couple
2000 years ago. Scandal-style pregnancy, long trip days before giving birth, nowhere to stay, not a Mothercare in sight to get a cot and everything else, not even a doctor to help with the birth. It didn’t matter, they had a God-given task and do it they did. This Christmas, we too have a God-given task to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ birth in word, song and action and do it we will – with or without wearing our Christmas sweaters!
Every blessing,
Major Adrian