Christmas is a time for festivities, family and friends. But do we know someone who will be left out, alone, this Christmas? Nicola (my wife) and I are helping at The LINK (a wonderful charity who support people with befriending, activities and events) this Christmas, providing food, fun and friendship for others. It might be too late to use The LINK but could you visit someone on their own this Christmas, someone who would value a visit. As the angels said about Christmas ‘Peace on earth, Goodwill to ALL men’, it is the season of cheer, lets reach out and make sure we can all celebrate.
I attended two carol events last Saturday. The first was in Elms field when I sung with people of varied ethnic origins. Some of the carols we sang in our own tongues, it was wonderful all singing together, even if I couldn’t understand the other languages! A carol we sung that I didn’t know was Christmas is the time of love. That spoke to me, if we can love and value each other at Christmas isn’t that a picture of how we should always live, with love and understanding.
Then in the evening I attended the Carols by the Lake organised by Earley TC and the Earley Environmental Group. Again it was great to see a varied throng of people from Earley, the children had made lanterns with LED candles and it was very evocative. Christmas is about unity, about working together, about peace and hope. If we can meet together, sing together and enjoy things together at Christmas shouldn’t we be doing that throughout the year, understanding our cultural, religious or ethnic differences while celebrating our unity.
May I send Christmas greetings to all the residents of Earley and Wokingham. May you know the Peace, Hope and Love of the season, despite the current difficulties at home and abroad. Can the inspirational message of Christmas be with us all at this time, sharing it with family and friends, enjoying relationships in all we do.
This article was mislabeled as being from the mayor of Earley Town Council. Cllr David Hare is the leader – apologies for our error.
