St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Atmospheric Christmas, there is nothing quite like this.

It is colourful, beautiful and meaningful.

The message is heart warming.

And pictorially Christmas storms the senses,

Sometimes mysteriously, often nostalgically, touching upon the memory,

Whilst genuinely even more than happy,

Christmas is a time most joyous.

We see the festivity brightly lit.

It may be snowy outside appropriately

Bathing our world in the purity in which a child is born.

Out in the snow could be reindeer, sledges,

All children delighted by the season,

Happily building scarf clothed, carrot nosed snowmen.

Cheeky, chirpy robins alight, vividly scarlet breasted,

Especially against a snowy background

Or maybe complimentary to the cheery red pillar box.

Snowflakes depicted picturesquely dainty,

Each individual flake a work of God’s creativity,

Unique in its intricacy, delicately shaped.

Other features of nature are the beloved holly,

And the shiny pearly white berry of mistletoe.

Look around a neighbourhood aglow with fancy lights,

Whilst outdoor Christmas trees are such a festive sight,

Lighting up the night with bobbing baubles,

Bows amid shimmer of silver and gold opulence.

In town squares people gather happily around a tree

To sing Christmas carols enjoyed by almost everybody.

Outside churches and cathedrals choirs gather

Children in costume singing like angels maybe carrying lanterns.

Returning home to a warm welcome following icy weather.

We forget the shiver when greeted by a wreath.

Fir cones, sprigs of spruce, bountiful berries,

Variegated holly, evergreen ivy, clusters of clementines,

Oh what a beauty, twisted circular wreath with a ribbon atop.

Inside of course, awaits the favourite Christmas tree,

Ranks of cards, gaily wrapped piles of presents,

Candles ready to give a soft glow, flickering.

You know the best is yet to come.

If young, we excitedly await Father Christmas,

Expectantly hanging up a stocking or sack,

Lacking not a shred of confidence nor lack of trust

That tomorrow morning dawning will see high excitement.

If more mature, here comes the Advent awaited arrival,

Upon which mankind’s survival depends.

The Lord God Almighty out of His profound loving mercy,

Sends Christ Jesus to us, this is Christmas!

A time marvellous and mysterious,

Real joy at the birth of Mary’s Baby Boy,

The promised Christ Child fulfilled as Immanuel,

God ever with us, our forever Saviour.

Christ Jesus, the living hope of every believer.

How glorious if the Christmas cactus

Now bursts into full bell shaped blooms of exquisite flowers.

He who was there in the beginning sharing creation,

Comes now to each and every nation.

Jesus comes as Divine Healer to mend our brokenness.

Yes, this is Christmas, a day most joyous.

This is what awaits us as a certainty.

Keep watching, waiting and counting.

The guarantee is that God will come to us

In the One we recognise as Christ Jesus,

Son of God, Son of Mary, a wondrous holy Baby.

Soon it will be the season of Christmas, warmly festive and most joyous!

Lord, how I thank You for Christmas is forthcoming. Our excitement is mounting. To think that when You

made the world, even then You knew that there would be a Christmas! All Your ways are most wondrous and

I praise You. Amen.

CHRISTMAS

JOY