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REACHING OUT

St. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH NEWSLETTER wINTER 2005 No 60

GEEZERS FOR JESUS

Being an avid reader of The Times, as Christmas approaches, I am always on the lookout for that first example of yuletide political correctness. Imagine my delight when I read that one London borough had decided that them seasonal light displays had to be called not Christmas but winter or celebrity lights. If their lights are as feeble as most municipal displays then there isn't much to make a fuss about, however let's not offend anyone by using the word Christmas! Hey, but don't we live in a multi faith, mufli cultural society, and aren't we all supposed to respect each others customs and traditions? They'll be telling us that we can't give each other Christmas presents next; the economic implications of that piece of political correctness are too frightening to contemplate! I wonder what would happen if the churches retaliated by banning the politically correct from attending crib and carol services? The last national census told us that 72% of the population describe themselves as Christians, so don't we have a right to celebrate Christmas? In any case isn't the celebration of Christmas in Britain just part of the British way of life, enjoyed by Christian and note Christian alike?

As well as seasonal chestnuts I am always on the look out for interesting contemporary expressions that give voice to the Christian faith. Imagine my delight when I read about `Geezers for Jesus', a Christian men's group set up on the web. `Geezers' aims to provide a place where a distinctly male voice can be heard `in a world where church can be a very feminine place', and be a resource for men who believe its OK to be serious about JESUS and still enjoy fast cars, beer, football and curry! Well that all seems good to me, so guys why not give it a go? Look it up!

On the first Christmas Eve, all those years ago, it was 3 geezers who were out on the hillside, watching `their flocks by night'; no doubt they, like today's geezers, had had a good curry and a can or two! They probably thought they were seeing things when the angels appeared telling them to go to Bethlehem to greet the Infant King. It was three other geezers, foreigners, strangers, riding on camels who arrived some time later with gifts for the baby Jesus. Apart from Mary, where are the women? Does it matter? JESUS IS FOR EVERYONE, that's the Christmas message, girls and geezers alike. Jesus doesn't care who or what we are in society or the material world, but he does show us that God loves each one of us as we are, without condition, with a love that can change not only individual lives but also the course of world events.

A truly happy Christmas to you all,

Father Keith