I love Christmas!

It’s 12th night tonight, the day that the 3 Kings arrived to see the newborn baby Jesus.

Most people forget this in this day and age, and see it as the day to take down decorations and the end of that song!

I could make witty jokes about how if the Kings had been Queens they’d have asked for directions, assisted at the birth and arranged an upgrade from stable to the penthouse suite, but they weren’t, so I won’t!
But in modern times there are arguments and squabbles over what Christmas is all about.

Some say that Jesus was born in the summer, others say that mid December is a pagan festival.  Whatever date he was born, Christmas is a great marketing opportunity for Christians, and I’m happy about that!

I’ve never subscribed to the theory that Christmas is just for children and all about commercialism. For me, it’s a wonderful time to get together with family, both immediate and extended. Particularly as both my brothers live 250 miles away. I’ve very much missed my eldest brother and his family this year, but they’ve been in our thoughts and bedtime prayers through the season.

I don’t deny that seeing the pleasure on my sons’ faces as they opened gifts wasn’t a little bit magical, and I had a wonderful month crafting and creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

There has been pressure over the major days with cooking for an average of 10 people twice a day, but I thrive under that sort of pressure.  Plus, any opportunity to get out a notebook and make lists is a welcomed opportunity!

So I love Christmas, with all that it brings; opportunities to get together with family, to teach my children the Christian values, to indulge in crafting, to create a happy atmosphere.

And simply just to be.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here’s to everything that this year brings us.

Sam x