Thinking
about Christmas, why do I keep hearing in my head, those two words, 'Hard Times'
? Despite the few green shoots of economic recovery, for most of us it doesn't
really feel like the recession is anywhere near over. I know I am very fortunate
compared to most, but as I write I've just heard that even the clergy pension
fund is short of cash!
For many its hard times today and hard times ahead, but then this is nothing
new. Charles Dickens, in his novel 'Hard Times', paints a picture of the
miserable existence of many in his imaginary 'Coketown', a grim industrial town
up north. He is really attacking a Victorian prosperity built on utilitarianism
and industry that thrived on statistics; never mind poverty, hunger and disease,
what use is a person if they do not produce anything? The idea of workhouses was
to make people so utterly miserable, they would do anything to make their lives
better and improve their lot. It never worked then and although we don't have
workhouses, the attitude that somehow it is a person's fault when they fall on
hard times, persists even today. We now have one million young unemployed people
in our country. I know personally some of our local unemployed youngsters; they
are not a statistic but real people with hopes and dreams, people already being
referred to as a lost generation. What a label to wear, applying for job after
job trying to live on £50 a week - OK for a week or two, but then what?
Marginalised and treated like second rate citizens by a bureaucracy that hasn't
changed much since I watched my granddad join the dole queue 50 years ago. We
have a lot of youngsters in our town for whom the future looks bleak and that is
particularly so for those who, for whatever reason, have been chucked out of the
family home and are struggling to survive on their own. Yes its hard times, no
wonder if given the chance some turn to drink or drugs-things don't look quite
so bad after a can or two! But hey it's CHRISTMAS, there may be a recession on,
but everyone deserves to enjoy themselves sometimes, and Christmas is one of
those times. It's the festive season and however modest our circumstances, its
time to pull out all the stops and fight off the winter gloom of economic
downturn! It's also the season of goodwill to all, and so may be we can make
someone else's Christmas, by sharing some of what we have with someone who
has less! There are plenty of opportunities around! These may be economic hard
times, but as we prepare for Christmas it’s not just a case of trying to forget
our troubles. I want to remind you that we are people with hope, hope for
ourselves, hope for our young people, hope for our children. However grim things
may look, during the Christmas season we celebrate the coming of the SAVIOUR,
JESUS CHRIST. The saviour, whose humble birth in a stable 2,000 years ago
brought good news, tidings of great joy. A timely sign of God's love for all
humanity, the God who is on our side!
Dickens
wrote of 'Hard Times' but lets not forget his 'Christmas Carol'; Bob Cratchit
and his family do their very best to enjoy Christmas, despite their worries and
hardships and with out knowing life was about to change forever. Tiny Tim,
poorly as he is calls down God's blessing on his family and even Mr Scrooge -
'God bless us every one!'
May God
bless you, each one of you this Christmas and a brighter tomorrow for those who
face present troubles!
your
friend and priest,
Father Keith
LOOKING BACK
LOOKING FORWARD
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF REACHING OUT
|
