Bishop Mark Strange of Moray, Ross and Caithness is the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church gives his view from the Highlands of Christmas

Christmas is coming! Those words are guaranteed to bring a smile to some faces and a look of anxiety on the face of others. This year the advert makers have cleverly tapped into the fact that last year at Christmas things were different. Now I am very clear that Christmas did happen last year, it happens every year, the way we celebrated was what was different.

Preaching at midnight mass in an empty cathedral focusing on the red light of the camera as we filmed the service was difficult, yet the service was seen by many more than we would have got into the cathedral. Not having all the family home was sad, not singing was a struggle and being stuck at home was, well, actually for me it was rather good, but for many it was very difficult.

This Christmas some people are taking preperations slowly, just in case, let’s not get too excited, it might all go wrong again. Yet what I have been reflecting on is that for many people that is what Christmas is always like. A day when your loneliness is exaggerated, when your lost loved ones are on your mind and when the poverty you may live with is more painful. There are many people who always have a Christmas on their own and others who can never afford all the trimmings.

So, this year as we celebrate, with me hopefully singing “Yea Lord we Greet thee” in the Cathedral, while others may be singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” on the way home from a night out, help us not to forget how difficult it was for many of us last year and consider what we can do to bring our cheer to the lives of others this year.

For me Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. I know that for others it is a celebration of family and for some a day of simple relaxation. It is a day that hopefully brings light into the darkest part of the winter. I will celebrate with carols and worship, family and friends, and while I know that for many it will not be a religious experience can I ask that, as we reflect on the sadness of last year, we try to remember to do something to make someone else’s Christmas as joyful as the one we hope to celebrate.

Bishop Mark Strange of Moray, Ross and Caithness is the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

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