Christmas is a time for celebration – a time for putting up decorations, singing carols and spending time with loved ones. Most of all, Christmas is a time to spend with family, which is what I will be doing now virtually all the Christmas Fairs, Carol Services and Nativity Plays are over.
I attended various Christmas events across Pendle throughout December and was delighted to see the festive spirit in the people I met. It was also a pleasure to appear as one of the three Kings in the Earby and District Churches Together, Earby to Bethlehem. Attending events like these is one of the best things about my job, and I am constantly seeing the incredible work of people across all our local towns and villages.
While most of us are enjoying ourselves this time of year, there are those who will be spending Christmas working. I would like to thank the members of our Armed Forces, all those working in our NHS, the emergency services, social care workers and many others for their hard work and sacrifice. Their dedication and professionalism allows us and our families to celebrate Christmas safely and in peace.
In keeping with the Christmas spirit, I have once again held my Annual Christmas Cards competition for Pendle’s primary school children. I would like to thank the Marsden Building Society and West Riding Hyundai for sponsoring the competition this year and congratulate Evie Pilkington from Walton Lane Nursery for her winning design. The first prize was toys up to the value of £150, but Evie’s parents generously chose to donate these to Pendle Women’s Refuge. A very touching gesture recognising that for some people Christmas can actually be one of the most difficult times of year.
As well as all the lights, food and festivities we must also remember that Christmas is first and foremost a Christian holiday. It is a time of celebration and gift-giving, but a time for reflection too. It is important that we bear in mind those less fortunate or without family, and in the troubled world, in which we live, remember the Bible’s message of peace and goodwill.