Town Talk

Eventually, I gave up and simply lifted my hand, in a half-hearted acknowledgement of his presence.

Then, on Christmas Eve, he stopped and smilingly asked me how I was doing and if the shop was going along okay. We had a chat. For some reason and in some way, his good cheer added to mine. I thought of it as a Christmas gift.

He didn’t speak or acknowledge me for the next few months and, by the next Christmas, he was gone — retired, perhaps. However, I remember him at Christmas time; he puzzled me then and puzzles me still. What, I wonder, did Christmas mean to him?

We’ll attempt to define the Christmas Spirit in just a moment – but first, an email regarding last week’s story.

Hi Marnie

It was nice to see your story on the Vibert family, who have been wonderful supporters of Shepparton over the years. I just wanted to add that Nancy Vibert was representing the Musical Advancement Society on the committee, which was established to conduct Carols in the Gardens in 1974. Through her knowledge and connections in the community Nancy was to the forefront in making it a successful event, which is still being conducted today. Shepparton owes a lot to the Vibert family, and Nancy was a wonderful person to work with.

Cheers,

Don Kilgour

Thanks Don.

And Wrexham

I had an email from Geoff to tell me that, following our story, he and his wife were also becoming fans of Wrexham Football Club. That’s my family, Geoff and Judy, and the King and Queen Consort — it’s building!

The painting of Jesus

The picture I have shown you is a section of a painting by Glenda Green. (I’ve cut out the rest of the painting, which is of hills and lambs.) It hangs in St Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Willow Park, Texas and was commissioned by the Church in 1991.

I came across it, by accident — or not — on the internet, around 12 years ago. I loved it and bought two prints — one of which I have given away and this one remains in our home. Glenda was not a Christian when the painting was commissioned and there is a story behind the painting (of which I was unaware until this week). There are miracles involved; at least one of which has been filed by Father Herman of St Francis, with written testimony. If you are interested, you can find it at www.lovewithoutend.com

The spirit of Christmas

For my family and I, Christmas is a celebration of love — as demonstrated by Jesus in his short life. And the most important thing is simply being together. I fully understand that my spiritual beliefs are different to those of most of you; however, I firmly believe that we are closer to God when we feel, and respond to, love.

They will all be here (and this will surprise many of you) I am, frequently, very quiet during our gatherings. My pleasure comes from watching them interact, listening to their loud chatter, enjoying them enjoying one another and watching our musical director organise the carol singing. At these times, I feel intense gratitude — for their presence, their good health and their happiness. And I thank God for it all.

And from you

What Christmas means to John and Kay:

Christmas is about rejoicing in the birth of Jesus — God in human form. Christians believe that Jesus our Saviour shows us the true way to peace, happiness and harmony in our lives and the way of salvation.

Therefore, it is important to us to attend Church on Christmas Day, and we value time spent with family and friends. We avoid commercialisation of Christmas and donate the money that might be spent on expensive presents to our favourite charities. We always write ‘Christmas’ as Christmas, not Xmas, as that takes the Christ out of Christmas!

Honestly Kay, you guys are an example to us all!

I also had a call from Rob, to tell me about memories of Christmas Eve at Nanna Slee’s home. She loved catching up with her cousins, trying some of Nanna’s interesting food such as toothpicks with cheese and a little red onion. Santa always came, but the real treat was crates of Coca-Cola and Fanta — because they only had cordial at home.

Hi Marnie

I’m a day behind in reading the paper in this very busy season, but I saw your call out for people of faith on what Christmas means and thought I should answer the call! It also helped a lot that I was meeting up with some ladies from church this afternoon, so I asked around and received some wonderful answers to your question.

Christmas means Jesus. Even though we know this isn’t the correct date, it is the date we celebrate our Saviour’s birth.

Christmas is not a decree but it’s an opportunity to celebrate how Jesus came in humility and for us to be able to share that, and also to have fun with good food and family.

It’s an amazing opportunity to openly bring Jesus to people who we wouldn’t normally be able to.

It’s a great opportunity for the church to reach into the community with a different story and perspective.

Christmas can also be a time that creates lots of work, but being a Christian means it’s not just an empty, overwhelming obligation, but instead it’s a time filled with love and an opportunity to serve others.

As I get older, it’s more about ‘God with us’; to think He is with us. The Word came and dwelt with us, and it’s just so amazing.

Christmas is the love of God, for God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son. It’s really important to be loved and to feel loved, and God is like an anchor in the storm that never changes.

Everyone has a birthday — the world doesn’t stop for anybody else’s birthday.

Hope there’s something in there for you to use. I think it’s wonderful that you want to print something about the real meaning of the season, and feel that this is a wonderful opportunity to help others stop and think about that too. x

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

God bless,

Sharon x

I thank Sharon, and every one of her friends. God bless you all with a wonderful Christmas.

The first comment, however, reminded me of the date.

It’s the day, not the date

That small headline is a quote from Councillor Anthony Brophy, when we met to discuss Australia Day — but seems appropriate here also.

We all know there has been a great deal of debate over the date of Christmas; however, the over-educated experts don’t appear to agree. Some say June, others May, another group fancies October. The discussions all seem to hover around the Star of Bethlehem, which could have been Jupiter and Saturn coming together — this was 7BC. But Herod was king in 4BC. And it all gets messier from there on.

However, December 25 is easier to explain. The Roman festival of Saturnalia and the Celt celebrations of the winter solstice (it was called the Alban Arthan — or Yule) were both in late December. For those trying to introduce the people to a new religion it made sense for them to incorporate it into an existing celebration, rather than expecting people to throw out the festival to which they were accustomed. The Yule Log, the Christmas tree (or branch) and holly and mistletoe were all part of the Celtic tradition. December 25 — as a celebration of the birth of Jesus — was first mentioned in a Roman almanac in the fourth century.

But really! Does it matter? It is the day, not the date. Jesus’s birth has affected billions of lives, over 2000 years — that is what matters.

And to you and yours

I wish you a joyful, loving and peaceful Christmas. If you have people to hug (and I hope you do) — do it often — and allow them to see and feel the love in your heart.

May it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)