Neil's blog

How good is it to sleep in!? Curled in a ball, nursing an ‘overhang’ from Christmas Day feasting, it is bliss to snooze on, untroubled by ‘alarm clock’ on St Steve’s (Boxing) Day. Christmas services, among my all time favourites, didn’t disappoint! We were able to wel-‘come all ye faithful’ & others drawn in by annual atmosphere, family tradition & the hope of something ‘more than meets the eye.’

My mum ensures we never miss The Queen’s Speech and how good to hear her speak so passionately about her Christian faith & the power of forgiveness for our wanting warring world. Once all our dinner guests had downed their cracker crowns & hastened home, we put our feet up in front of ‘The Box’ & tucked into sensational seconds of Turkey & trimmings, aaaah ‘Blessing Bliss’!

And yet, I'm aware that, the idyllic picture I paint is far from many people’s experience of Christmas. Beneath the clichéd “It’s just what I always wanted!” thank you of many, bubble simmering resentment, bitterness & long memories of hurt. In Nigeria I read of 2 Islamic terrorist attacks on Christians celebrating in Christmas services and see where such a divisive spirit can lead.

Conducting funerals over the festive season, I’m also alert to the pain of parting with loved ones, which can feel all the more sore at a time when they should be celebrating together. I take my hat off to those who work over Christmas to ensure emergency services & our protection. Living next to a Homeless Hostel, the dislocation & despair of homelessness is all too evident. And being chaplain to Killie FC I’m sensitive to the commitment required from professional footballers as they seek to serve up entertainment in Siberian-like Scottish conditions. Alas, they don’t get much time to be with their families in the process. And before you tell me how much they get paid for the privilege, I’ll inform you that many do not get paid more than an average wage & that one Celtic or Rangers player can get paid more than the whole of the Killie team put together. The photo attached shows the snow-blasted squad with me, dressed as one of the ‘Shoes Brothers’, giving a Christmas ‘Red Card’ to Sectarianism, Bigotry & all that causes people to ignore and hate those who are different from themselves.

Taking a prompt from Queen Elizabeth & following in the footsteps of Peace Prince Jesus, can I wish y’all a Forgiving & Peace-Passing New Year?