When I was a child, my grandad was the Rotary Club Santa Claus. He would sit outside the big Tesco in his costume, shake the collection tin, and hand out sweets to the children. It was a peculiar experience because, while I somewhat recognized that it was my grandad beneath the polyester beard, my belief was so strong that I was also convinced Santa just happened to look a lot like a relative of mine!

Christmas has changed for me since becoming a Christian; it’s different from the Christmases I experienced before my faith became a significant part of my life. Though I still love putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it, hanging lights, and sipping mulled wine at the Winchester Christmas market, there’s another, deeper experience hidden beneath the bright reds and greens of a secular Christmas celebration—just as the familiar face of my grandad was hidden behind his Santa beard and hat.

The Christ we are most acquainted with at Christmas is the embodied Christ, the Incarnation—a vulnerable baby who is, in fact, God. It is the astonishing way God shows us that He cares for everyone, especially those who are powerless, struggling, or burdened by life’s cares. The Incarnation demonstrates that God is interested in every aspect of human life, not just the impressive parts. God is present not only for the sparkling moments we share on Instagram or Facebook but also for the parts of life we hide from everyone else. God loves and cares for us, even in the messiest bits.

The Gospel reading at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve contains one of the most hopeful verses in the Bible: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

The lights we put up during winter are a widespread cultural practice across the Northern Hemisphere, where nights grow long, and days become short and cold. But it is often our lives, rather than the weather, that become wintry. Even if that winter lasts for years—even decades—the light of Christ within us will never fade or dim.

At St Mary’s, we strive to shine the light of Christ through our hospitality and warmth. Join us for one of our Christmas services and stay for mince pies and mulled wine afterward. We hope you find a bit of Christmas magic there, but more importantly, we hope the light of Christ brightens any darkness you may be facing.

As Christmas and the New Year approach, my prayer for West Moors is that the lights, food, and family of Christmas strengthen us to love one another, that our village becomes a beacon of hospitality and care for our neighbours, and that especially that you all have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

With all my prayers and blessings,

Reverend Lizzie

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” – Luke 2.10