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HAS ANYBODY HERE SEEN CHRISTMAS?
THE VOICE HELPS YOU TRACK IT DOWN
We may no longer be children, but most of us still have great expectations of this feast. Some of these hopes and longings are rooted in the wonder of the Christian mystery we celebrate. Some spring from long -nourished personal hopes and memories. On this page and throughout the issue Voice readers share their Christmas Moments and Memories in the hope that this may help us all look deeper and discover just what Christmas means to us and why.
Nikola Bell, Sacred Heart parish, Barrow in Furness
My Christmas moment: Christmas Eve at 3 o' clock. Work and school are finished, the shopping is all done, sprouts are being prepared for tomorrow and the radio is on, from King's College, Cambridge. The first notes from the choirboy singing 'Once in Royal David's City' - then it's Christmas.
Linda Wisdom, St. Cuthbert's parish, Blackpool
For me one of the things I love most every year is to go late night shopping shortly before Christmas. The town centre is filled with children from our local schools singing carols. Not only are they singing beautiful carols but they bring Jesus into the lives and minds of everyone shopping in that town centre - Evangelisation? I feel so uplifted; it makes me feel NOW Christmas is really here.
Kathy Eaglesham, St. Augustine's parish Preston
Christmas has finally arrived for me when midnight has been reached and the joyous strains of O Come, All Ye Faithful ring out around the school hall at St. Augustine's - the candle light, the incense all adding to the sacredness of the moment of Christ's birth. Then we reach the final verse and the beautiful harmonies and descants are left behind as we sing in hearty unison, "Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning," - even now, it brings a lump to my throat and memories of my father come flooding back because he loved this great feast.
Caroline Warden, Holy Family parish, Preston
Christmas comes alive for me when I go to my daughter's Nativity play at school. They may not all sing in tune or win any Oscars for acting but they know and love the story they are telling and to them it's real today. Even to the little ones who pick their nose through it. Jesus loves us all. Nativity plays are the magical start of Christmas for me.
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