Dreaming of a White Christmas

They said there'll be snow at Christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth.

But instead it just kept on raining:

A veil of tears for the virgin birth.

Here in the South of England hopes of a White Christmas are always something of a dream. Since 1960 there have been just ten snowy Christmas Days. Autumn 2019 has brought persistent rain that has left much of Britain waterlogged. Flooding is causing difficulties in some areas. Roads and rail services are affected at one of the busiest times of the year. As what the media describe as 'the great Christmas getaway' begins anxiety levels rise for those with plans to be away from home this year.

As we move towards Christmas Day the words of Greg Lake's 1975 Christmas song seem somehow prophetic. Christmas is too often not as we hope it might be. White Christmases aside, the hope of peace on earth too often seems unrealistic. In local communities, nationally and internationally, conflict and tension are a sad fact of life. Can we do other than weep as we wait for Christmas Day?

We are drawing near to the end of Advent. Christian churches will soon be telling once again the story of the coming of the Christ Child. Immanuel, God with us, has come to reawaken in each of us a hope that transcends human dreams. A hope that transforms a world waiting for the dream of peace on earth to become a reality. A hope not just for Christmas and Christians but a hope that could just change everything.