The BBC news recently published an article about the smashed grave stone of Ebenezer Scrooge (used in the1984 film). In the article it was described as a place of ‘Christmas pilgrimage’, a place to take family and friends who visited during the Christmas period. I have no issue with that as an activity. It sounds like a fun Christmas tradition. We take people round our village to look at the neighbourhood lights. But the use of the word ‘pilgrimage’ frustrated me. For me ‘pilgrimage’ goes so much deeper than a place of visitation. It is multifaceted act, which does include journeying a place, but it also includes an emotional and/or spiritual experience, an act of remembrance, a quest to find something, somewhere or something. As Christians we are also all a part of the ongoing pilgrimage of life as we journey to and with God.
As we begin the season of Advent I am reminded of the Christmas journeys that took place all those years ago. Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and the Magi, all set out on journeys of faith. They may not have realised they were pilgrimages at the time, but they led to an encounter with Jesus. And the way that we return to them, retelling the stories, revisiting the scenes in Bethlehem year after year through our carols, plays and reflections, the way that we encounter Jesus and announce to a desperately seeking world the Good News – these Christmas journeys become a pilgrimage for us.
What do you want your Christmas pilgrimage/journey to look like this year? When you have friends and family to visit, where will you take them? What conversations will you have? What, and who, will be the focal point?
This year my family will be using the Inspire Advent Devotional, again! As I pulled out the journal that Malachi (now 5) and Ezra (now 3) used last year and flicked through, I was stuck by how much they have developed in a year and how much has changed. I am excited to record their God sightings this year, hopefully with a little less scribbling! And see how they share their Christmas Journey with Josiah (9 mths) as he encounters Christmas for the very first time.
Tabitha
Tabitha is the lead Missioner for Inspire for children and families. Read more news and stories from Tabitha HERE. Support Tabitha HERE
