I'm dreaming of a Black Christmas!
Haven't been able to post last week so I'll do a few retrospective posts in the order I typed them.
25th DECEMBER
Well, I am falling into bed tired, happy, and very grateful to the Lord for my family in Christ. Needless to say I will be dreaming of a Black Christmas (although I can't say it's like one's I used to know, since this is the first) !!
I spent today with Clan Black (http://www.clanblack.blogspot.com/) sharing in their family Christmas. The day began with fellowship and a message at the brethren church that meet under the hospital. I love the way the children do the songs here. They choose the songs they want to sing, most of which have actions, and you should see the delight and enthusiasm with which they get stuck into them…I have more or less adapted to some of the thicker accents when people are praying in English too, so I just about manage to understand enough to say Amen most of the time. Actually, it was really lovely, the number of people who came up to ask if I was going anywhere for Christmas and who wanted to invite me home if I was not.
Before I continue, let me make one point: I know that some people find the whole commercial Christmas thing in the UK stomach churning, and indeed some even struggle with the whole ‘tree and twinkles’ aspect of it. I would agree with this in as much as I have deep regrets that this time of year carries the name of Jesus with it, so that our serious contemplation of God’s purposes in sending his son, and our joy at his arrival becomes rather obscured by what is probably most people’s Christmas experience in the UK: an agglomeration of piped muzac and the retail nightmare, the stress of family (either catering for them, or being without them) followed by a massive blow out feast! From that point of view, the commercialisation of Christmas here in Thane, mercifully, is largely absent.
But having said that, I am unashamed in my enjoyment of the family and festivities aspect of this time of year, which, for me, are in no way connected to the Christian message that coincides with the season. It seems to me a sad error of Christians in times gone by that they decided a good evangelical strategy was to appropriate pagan festivals and public holidays by linking them to the history of Jesus. I guess in that sense, we have only ourselves to blame as Christians for perpetuating the links!! Who’s for a change in the date of ‘Christmas’? How about September? Then we could extend the summer holidays right through from August until January on the basis that the winter festivities and new years holiday should still be allowed to take place. Six months off anyone, anyone??!!
Seriously though, in good conscience before God, I enjoy the festivities of friends and family coming together. I love the family tree decorating, the seasonal snacks and the “clan gathering” of this time of year. And it was this aspect of the time of year that I have been really missing. It has felt very disjointed being in 30 degree heat here yet looking at the December page of my wall calendar. Being eight thousand miles from my own family and friends, it was a tremendous blessing to be able to share in the family of Adam and Jo today, and one which I am really thankful for.
The Black family are all such warm generous people – really laid back and welcoming. It was very easy to feel at home. In the spirit of bicultural education, Adam and Jo’s son 20-month-old son Alastair opened the first of several presents to find a pint-sized cricket bat and ball. Judging by his enthusiasm and the adroitness with which he began wielding it, the next cricketing legend might be in the making! The culinary expertise of Morag (Mrs Black senior) and Jo (Mrs Black junior) were demonstrated par excellence in managing to get 2 roast chickens and a massive dish of roast spuds, gravy and stuffing, and carrots and green beans, followed by apple crumble with custard, all out of a kitchen with only a hob and a microwave combi-oven in it!!!. It rather reminded me of our efforts at producing a full roast turkey dinner for our corridor at halls, all on a baby Belling!! Taste was certainly not compromised!
As those requiring an afternoon siesta retired, Adam’s brother Cameron, sister Inga and I found ourselves being recruited from a breath of fresh air in the garden into a game of footy with some of the local kids who live in the same block of flats. What I severely lacked in skill I made up for with the vigour of my running up and down the pitch with the result that at one stage it looked as though I might have to talk Cameron (himself a second year medical student at Edinburgh), through cardiorespiratory arrest procedures!! Nothing that could not be fixed by a shower and a seriously good slice of home made chocolate cake courtesy of Jo, to round the day off! Recipe already obtained, so am looking forward to rustling this up myself in the not too distant future.
Off to continue the love affair with my pillow, more anon.
Dunc
25th DECEMBER
Well, I am falling into bed tired, happy, and very grateful to the Lord for my family in Christ. Needless to say I will be dreaming of a Black Christmas (although I can't say it's like one's I used to know, since this is the first) !!
I spent today with Clan Black (http://www.clanblack.blogspot.com/) sharing in their family Christmas. The day began with fellowship and a message at the brethren church that meet under the hospital. I love the way the children do the songs here. They choose the songs they want to sing, most of which have actions, and you should see the delight and enthusiasm with which they get stuck into them…I have more or less adapted to some of the thicker accents when people are praying in English too, so I just about manage to understand enough to say Amen most of the time. Actually, it was really lovely, the number of people who came up to ask if I was going anywhere for Christmas and who wanted to invite me home if I was not.
Before I continue, let me make one point: I know that some people find the whole commercial Christmas thing in the UK stomach churning, and indeed some even struggle with the whole ‘tree and twinkles’ aspect of it. I would agree with this in as much as I have deep regrets that this time of year carries the name of Jesus with it, so that our serious contemplation of God’s purposes in sending his son, and our joy at his arrival becomes rather obscured by what is probably most people’s Christmas experience in the UK: an agglomeration of piped muzac and the retail nightmare, the stress of family (either catering for them, or being without them) followed by a massive blow out feast! From that point of view, the commercialisation of Christmas here in Thane, mercifully, is largely absent.
But having said that, I am unashamed in my enjoyment of the family and festivities aspect of this time of year, which, for me, are in no way connected to the Christian message that coincides with the season. It seems to me a sad error of Christians in times gone by that they decided a good evangelical strategy was to appropriate pagan festivals and public holidays by linking them to the history of Jesus. I guess in that sense, we have only ourselves to blame as Christians for perpetuating the links!! Who’s for a change in the date of ‘Christmas’? How about September? Then we could extend the summer holidays right through from August until January on the basis that the winter festivities and new years holiday should still be allowed to take place. Six months off anyone, anyone??!!
Seriously though, in good conscience before God, I enjoy the festivities of friends and family coming together. I love the family tree decorating, the seasonal snacks and the “clan gathering” of this time of year. And it was this aspect of the time of year that I have been really missing. It has felt very disjointed being in 30 degree heat here yet looking at the December page of my wall calendar. Being eight thousand miles from my own family and friends, it was a tremendous blessing to be able to share in the family of Adam and Jo today, and one which I am really thankful for.
The Black family are all such warm generous people – really laid back and welcoming. It was very easy to feel at home. In the spirit of bicultural education, Adam and Jo’s son 20-month-old son Alastair opened the first of several presents to find a pint-sized cricket bat and ball. Judging by his enthusiasm and the adroitness with which he began wielding it, the next cricketing legend might be in the making! The culinary expertise of Morag (Mrs Black senior) and Jo (Mrs Black junior) were demonstrated par excellence in managing to get 2 roast chickens and a massive dish of roast spuds, gravy and stuffing, and carrots and green beans, followed by apple crumble with custard, all out of a kitchen with only a hob and a microwave combi-oven in it!!!. It rather reminded me of our efforts at producing a full roast turkey dinner for our corridor at halls, all on a baby Belling!! Taste was certainly not compromised!
As those requiring an afternoon siesta retired, Adam’s brother Cameron, sister Inga and I found ourselves being recruited from a breath of fresh air in the garden into a game of footy with some of the local kids who live in the same block of flats. What I severely lacked in skill I made up for with the vigour of my running up and down the pitch with the result that at one stage it looked as though I might have to talk Cameron (himself a second year medical student at Edinburgh), through cardiorespiratory arrest procedures!! Nothing that could not be fixed by a shower and a seriously good slice of home made chocolate cake courtesy of Jo, to round the day off! Recipe already obtained, so am looking forward to rustling this up myself in the not too distant future.
Off to continue the love affair with my pillow, more anon.
Dunc
posted by Duncan at 10:14 am
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