Thought for the Week

Revd Pat Reid, Associate Minister, All Saints Church, Ilkley

FOR many, the week between Christmas and New Year brings special pleasure, with life less hectic after the build up to Christmas. Children are on holiday, and hopefully enjoying their presents and having fun with friends. Daily work and pressures are left behind for a while, and people change gear. For some there is the pleasure of a ‘lie-in’, with nothing particular to do but relax, or go for a walk or a run, or enjoy time with friends. For a few days the pressure is off, with time perhaps to get life in perspective once again. There is enough food left over from Christmas entertaining, and therefore little need to shop. For those who are retired, the general air of relaxation is catching, and people seem less hurried and have a moment for a cheery “hello” or “Merry Christmas”. Roads seem quieter.

In the retail business the picture is different, with people being encouraged to come shopping again and hunt out bargains, and those who enjoy Sales find pleasure in this.

For me, this week brings a slowing of pace following the busy days of Christmas services. After all the preparations of present wrapping and shopping and cards, the Midnight service on Christmas Eve brought that moment of peace and calm and change of gear. In the stillness of the night there was a sense of anticipation as we prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

With voices raised in joyful praise, we sang again the well known carols telling so clearly the story of Jesus’ birth. How God became man and lived as one of us; he grew to be the man who showed us how to live – he showed us love and care and compassion; he lived a life of integrity and challenged us to follow his example.

As we relax and unwind this week, may we all just pause and think about the world around and what values we would wish to see embodied in society and in the world. May this week before New Year be one in which we relax, reflect and rejoice in the amazing truth, that God became man in Jesus, and dwelt among us.