Despite Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions Bishop Mark Strange says Christmas is 'still a cause for celebration'
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Bishop Mark Strange looks at the positives for this out of the ordinary Christmas season.
The question I’ve been asked by so many at this time is: “What will you do this Christmas?”
My reply: “I shall rejoice at and celebrate Christ’s birthday.”
The question then goes on “what will you miss?” and the answer is I will miss singing – I will miss singing along with the angels as we welcome the birth of Jesus.
Not to be able to sing out loudly and passionately “Yeah Lord We Greet Thee Born this Happy Morn” is almost impossible to think about. Not singing is really hard for a man who has been singing in church all his life.
I will, as usual, be busy, though 10 days self isolation has curtailed the early part of my diary. I’ve been with our congregation in Kinlochewe.
As we get closer to Christmas, I will be filled with the same anticipation as always, but I also suspect that my emotions will be more complicated than usual.
I found myself weeping quietly as the music to a favourite hymn was played in church earlier this month. Reading the words brought quiet, but joyful, tears. We are all a bit fragile.
The question I am rarely asked so far this year is: “What are you looking forward to this Christmas?”
The answer is: “Lots”.
I should be at Inverness Cathedral twice on Christmas Eve, though as we are restricted to 50 at each service, many of the usual local faces will be missing.
But I will still be able to share with them as all the services from the cathedral are live streamed.
On Christmas Day I will lead worship at St John’s, Arpafeelie, the church in my garden!
We will then return home across the lawn for lunch and a catch-up with our children.
I suspect much of the day will be spent talking on the phone to those who I cannot see face to face.
The days following will also be full of worship, either digitally or with a small number of congregations who can remain open under the new restrictions – remember, Christmas traditionally has 12 days.
I am also very conscious of just how difficult this Christmas might be for people.
Many will be without work or income. Please support those charities that will help provide food and hopefully festive food, those who will gather and distribute gifts and those who will ensure that people have a roof to shelter them this Christmas.
What I would ask all of us to do during this period, those for whom this is a religious festival and those for who this is an important family holiday, I would ask them to take care of your neighbours, to ensure that no one is simply left on their own.
There are always lonely people at Christmas, and this year will be harder.
I know what it is like to suddenly hear the voice or read an email from someone who is asking if I am OK; let’s keep looking after each other.
I would also ask us all to be kind, share your good side, for we will all feel better if we can share a smile and not a grumble.
Bishop Mark Strange is primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness (which also includes Sutherland, Inverness and part of Aberdeenshire).
