A few years ago I distinctly remember going round some busy shops close to Christmas, feeling quite upbeat and happy, and actually not in a tremendous rush (probably quite rare for me!) I was just getting a few last minute things. As I wandered around and queued at the tills, it struck me just how miserable everyone seemed.

Here we are in the West, with all the clothes, food and technology we could possibly want, and yet so many seem so absolutely fed up.

Christmas has morphed into an obscene commercial enterprise, where advertisers dole out their image of what Christmas should be: laughing children, sitting by the fireside, families kitted out in the latest fashion, a feast fit to impress Nigella Lawson and of course plentiful snow and stacks of perfectly wrapped presents. The reality is often rather off the mark…

People are feeling stressed, lonely, anxious, perhaps worried about finances, ex husbands or in-laws, and all the while pressured to create the ideal festive celebration.

I put together this light-hearted, alternative to the carol – ‘Tis the season to be jolly’, with the last verse featuring a voice for the Christian perspective. ‘Do we have light and life in our hearts?’ is the question we should never cease asking ourselves, not just at Christmas. Let’s place less emphasis on following everyone’s expectations and make Jesus the focus once more.

Oh, and look out for those sad faces over the season; someone you know could be among them.

1.

Tis the season to be grumpy Fa la la la la, la la la la

People crashing into you with their trolleys! Fa la la la la, la la la la

Shops are too full, traffic’s standing still

Kids are all whining: “WHEN is it Christmas?!”

 Nobody knows if they’re coming or going,

Drinking too much at Christmas time / wrapping hundreds of presents at Christmas time

2.

Tis the reason to be silly Fa la la la la, la la la la

Wearing these hats, and overfilling our tummies Fa la la la la, la la la la

Ten packs of mince pies, a turkey that’s oversized

Dancing like crazy at the work party

Everyone’s thinking  “When- will- it all be over?”

And then we’ll just repeat and- do- it again next year!

3.

Lots- of- people are wondering “what’s the point?”, Fa la la la la, la la la

Many try escaping by going on holiday Fa la la la la, la la la la

Some start rowing more, others party till-their-heads-are-sore,

Hoping they’ll find some meaning in the madness

Santa used to be their reason for believing

But now the grown-ups have nothing-to-hope for

4.

Tis the season to be joyful, Fa la la la la, la la la la

We  have light and life in our hearts, Fa la la la la, la la la la

People are wondering, if we’re any different

Or if we’re just stuck in silly traditions!

Jesus means more than all of our presents –  

We can’t even remember what we got last year!

Yes Jesus gives us reason to celebrate!