This is my last column before Christmas and the first since 2019 not hallmarked by covid ‘tiers’ and the like. I wish you and yours the peace and joy of the season.
On the day, Nick and I will join Rotarians hosting the return of their Alone at Christmas event, a truly wonderful occasion which brings people together to enjoy some festive cheer. My student years of waitressing in Eastbourne’s hotels stand me in good stead!
I will also be tuning in to the King’s first Christmas message; for us Elizabethans, it is a powerful reminder of changed times, very challenging times too, with such pressure on the cost of living.
I will raise a glass to the life of Her Late Majesty whose words brought such comfort and peace to our nation at Christmas. Her Christian faith shone most brightly at this time of year.
The late Queen celebrated Christmas as the birth of the promised Messiah, Jesus, “the Light of the World, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace.” I have heard this same verse from the Bible spoken at services from the RNLI’s Carols with the Crew on a very wet Waterfront, to a candle-lit St Mary’s in Old Town.
That same crew will be on alert through the holidays and with them, keeping us safe, a host of people in our NHS, Army Reserves, emergency services and voluntary sector. Swelling the number of those on duty are those who keep the lights on, shelves full and bins emptied. I will raise a second glass for them too.
Thoughts invariably turn to those we have loved and lost and whose absence we feel most keenly at this time of year. St. Wilfrid’s Lights of Love and the Rotarians’ Tree of Light are important events for this very reason. A huge thank you to them.
Ukrainian families in our midst will also be very much thinking of their friends and loved ones back at home on Christmas Day. With power and energy in Ukraine targeted by Putin, this winter is unbelievably difficult. We have our challenges, undeniably, but precious freedoms here too.
There are good things happening in our town like the Silver Band at The Bandstand and I hope to see you out and about in the coming days. Until then, stay safe, take care and a Merry Christmas to you.
