Our Memory Lane support group for people with mild to moderate Dementia and their careers provides music therapy for a large group of people. Those who come along every fortnight from 1 pm until 3 pm just love to sing along to memorable songs from their past. One of their most favourite artists to sing along with is dear old Cliff Richard. And one of my favourite songs by of Cliff is “Mistletoe and Wine”. I’m sure many of you will know it, or at least the chorus. It goes like this:
Christmas time, mistletoe and wine
children singing Christian rhyme
with logs on the fire and gifts on the tree
a time to rejoice in the good that we see.
What a lovely sentiment that is. Unfortunately, not everyone has a cozy fire or even a safe roof over their heads at Christmas, let alone Christmas presents.
I have worshipped in many different churches for well over 50 years. Christ Church in Lanark is the only congregation that I have experienced which donates the collection money from the last Sunday of every month to a charity that has been recommended by members of Christ Church and agreed by the vestry members. I think it is absolutely marvellous.
Every year you fill loads of shoeboxes which the Blytheswood Shoebox Charity sends off to countries abroad, so that children in those countries who have nothing can have at least something on Christmas Day. It’s just overwhelming. Not only do you give financially and materially, but you give of your time in volunteering and baking, you make everyone feel welcome and valued, you make them feel cared and prayed for. From what I can see, you, as a congregation show God’s loving, caring grace in so many different ways that are real and tangible and heartwarming. How blessed am I to be Christ Church’s curate and vocational Deacon.
Christmas time, mistletoe and wine
children singing Christian rhyme,
with logs on the fire and gifts on the tree
a time to rejoice in the good that we see.
We have lots to rejoice about in the good that we see this Christmas. So, let us rejoice not only at Christmas time but every day and all of the time.
Jackie
