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Good morning

You know that one song you hear for the first time each year – and inside you think – oh yes – now I know Christmas is coming.

For me, I think it’s Have yourself a merry little Christmas – there’s just something about that lovely big sentimental melody that makes me warm inside.

But in recent years I’ve developed a peculiar fondness for the ridiculous ditty, I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Maybe it’s the stupidity of the request – or the comedically car-horn-like voice of the little girl who sings it – or maybe it’s because I hear it as a satirical parody of our greed at this time of year.

I was in a coffee shop the other day – and all the buzz was about Christmas – the staff were chatting about how many days off they were getting. Other customers were talking about hunting for a very specific pink bicycle that’s in short supply. But there was one woman who stood out –

I always go over the top – she said – I eat far too much – she added. It’s just spend, spend, spend - but I’m not going to do it this year.

There was just something about the way she said it made me feel that she definitely was going to do it again this year, just like all the others.

But Christmas can’t just be about getting and spending. There needs to be giving too, especially when we think about the needs of all who struggle at Christmas time, whether through poverty, or hunger, loneliness, bereavementÌý or disappointment.

Lord, as we prepare to celebrate your giftÌý beyond words- help us to be generous rather than greedy, more ready to give than to get and so to mirror the attitude you had when you left heaven to be born here.

Amen.
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