I AM endlessly fascinated by traditions and especially Christmas traditions.
The traditions we hold to may have originated long ago, their origins shrouded in the mists of time, they may be more recent.
They may be well known, or they may be very local or even just family traditions.
A tradition which is very much part of my Christmas is Christingle. Is this something that is part of Christmas for you?
If it isn’t, the Christingle is an orange, representing the world with a red ribbon surrounding it, symbolic of the love of God, the blood of Jesus, surrounding the world.
The four cocktail sticks (the four seasons) have fruit on them to show God with us in all seasons and the marvel of creation.
Finally, we have a candle representing the Light of Jesus coming into the world.
This is then used in services in church and schools. Each child in the service has one and we light the candle.
The overall story here is that of Jesus coming into to world for our sake. A narrative linking Christmas and Easter all coupled with an interesting object for the children to hold.
The important thing for me is what happens in the moment where the candles are lit and the lights are dimmed. A room full of very excited children focused on the light in front of them.
We move from noise, excitement and activity to a wonderful moment of silence and quiet thinking. This is always a Holy moment, a moment of stillness and peace pressing thought the hustle and bustle which can surround Christmas for all of us.
A moment held by children and the adults present together – a moment when the presence and love of God are tangibly present.
As the candles are blown out and the smoke rises, I pray that something of that holy moment will stay with those present, not just over the Christmas season but beyond.
Is all of this a memory for you or some you are encountering for the first time?
Whichever it is I do hope that you can find a God moment this Christmas, maybe even a number of them.
Many things press in upon us to keep us busy in these weeks to come and there is pressure to create the perfect Christmas for ourselves or for our families.
I hope we can be released from that pressure and focus on the image of God coming to be with us. God coming in humility and coming to offer us an ongoing relationship with Him.
May you know the love of God and may you find your moments of peace and stillness this Christmas.
Rev Canon Paul Lawlor
