I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Mark it’s great to be here live to share my first Thought for the Day in person since before Covid, and actually my 100th ever Thought for the Day on HCR! And the title? “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”.
You probably know, Mark, that “I’m
dreaming of a White Christmas” (written by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing
Crosby and Frank Sinatra in the film Happy Holidays) is the best-selling song ever. I wonder what
it is about it that makes it such a popular classic?
I think in part it’s the crooning voices, but also it’s because
a white Christmas is so rare (like England winning a major football tournament!!) that it kind of taps into childhood memories
and fairy tales. Proper snow on the ground has only happened 4 times in 51
years apparently.
Apparently it’s Charles Dickens who is to blame who
wrote a lot about snowy Christmases, probably inspired by his childhood,
growing up in the coldest decade in England for more than a decade- a time when
the Thames froze over. (see Wikipedia).
Hopes of having a white Christmas
are actually looking fairly unlikely for 2022. Although in October the bookies
were getting worried that it was looking likely that at least one flake of snow would land on the met
office roof, the BBC’s current forecast for Christmas day- a week on Sunday- is looking like a balmy 6 degrees. But we shall
see!
Maybe the lack of snow on most
Christmas days breeds a kind of bah humbug feeling of disappointment for many.
Christmas is not all that it’s cracked up to be. It’s not what it once
was. Perhaps for some of the listeners
this year rather than a white Christmas, it’s going to be a hard Christmas, a cold Christmas, a sad
Christmas.
Well can I remind you what it’s all
about. The birth of a little baby (always a sign of new beginnings) who came to
be our Saviour. To rescue us and love us, to care for us and bring us hope, God
come to earth. That should warm our hearts. Jesus is never disappointing. His love doesn’t
melt away like the snow. He will never let us down, never let us go. If we
follow him he will wash our sins whiter than snow. As real angels put it to
real shepherds all those years ago about the real baby “‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has
been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord”.
Have a happy Christmas.
Charlie Newcombe, 15/12/2022