The Christmas tree is trimmed, the presents are wrapped, the baking is done, and my marrons glacés are coming along nicely. Later I will exchange cards with visiting family members, as we prepare to commence the week leading up to the big day.
At this time of year the radio is awash with the usual suspects, in terms of Christmas songs we have known and loved (or possibly are a little tired of hearing) for many years. One track that I have always been fond of, got me to thinking back to the original meaning of Christmas. ‘Fairytale of New York’ was released on 23rd November 1987 by The Pogues, and featured a then twenty-eight year old singer/songwriter called Kirsty MacColl.
Thirteen years later after presenting a radio show for the BBC in Cuba, she took a holiday to Cozumel, Mexico with her partner and two teenage sons. They were enjoying a swim in a designated diving area, when a powerboat entered the restricted zone. MacColl’s thirteen year old boy was clear, but the boat was obliviously motoring straight towards her fifteen year old, Jamie. Kirsty managed to push the lad out of the way, leaving him to sustain minor head and rib injuries, while she took the fatal full force of the impact to save her son.
That was fifteen years ago on Friday 18th, December. There is a bench dedicated to her memory at Soho Square in London.
The Christian tradition from which our current celebration takes its name, is also based on the idea of sacrificial love. At this season I like to remember the many various sacrifices made by others, often unsung while we eat and drink our fill of Christmas cheer. From members of our armed forces stationed in danger thousands of miles away from loved ones, to our emergency services who are often faced with tragic and difficult incidents as they give up their own celebration of Christmas to serve us.
May your festive period be one of health, wealth, happiness and filled with peace, love and comfort.
I’ll leave you with ‘Fairytale of New York,’ which also features an emergency service in the form of the New York City Police Department.
Merry Christmas!
At this time of year the radio is awash with the usual suspects, in terms of Christmas songs we have known and loved (or possibly are a little tired of hearing) for many years. One track that I have always been fond of, got me to thinking back to the original meaning of Christmas. ‘Fairytale of New York’ was released on 23rd November 1987 by The Pogues, and featured a then twenty-eight year old singer/songwriter called Kirsty MacColl.
Thirteen years later after presenting a radio show for the BBC in Cuba, she took a holiday to Cozumel, Mexico with her partner and two teenage sons. They were enjoying a swim in a designated diving area, when a powerboat entered the restricted zone. MacColl’s thirteen year old boy was clear, but the boat was obliviously motoring straight towards her fifteen year old, Jamie. Kirsty managed to push the lad out of the way, leaving him to sustain minor head and rib injuries, while she took the fatal full force of the impact to save her son.
That was fifteen years ago on Friday 18th, December. There is a bench dedicated to her memory at Soho Square in London.
The Christian tradition from which our current celebration takes its name, is also based on the idea of sacrificial love. At this season I like to remember the many various sacrifices made by others, often unsung while we eat and drink our fill of Christmas cheer. From members of our armed forces stationed in danger thousands of miles away from loved ones, to our emergency services who are often faced with tragic and difficult incidents as they give up their own celebration of Christmas to serve us.
May your festive period be one of health, wealth, happiness and filled with peace, love and comfort.
I’ll leave you with ‘Fairytale of New York,’ which also features an emergency service in the form of the New York City Police Department.
Merry Christmas!
