I was driving to Centennial Park about two weeks ago, you know that route out the back of Alexandria (please note that this was only October) and there they were, on every corner of those busy intersections teens dressed up in red Santa suits (without the beard and hat) waving advertising signs to attract customers to the ‘Xmas Stores’ shop! I could barely keep on driving – “it’s not even November”, exploded in my mind.

This time of the year I usually do a good imitation of Mr Scrooge from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, lots of “bah humbugs”. I ban carols from being sung or played in our house until 1 December, and any talk of doing Christmas shopping is an absolute “red rag” to me. However this year, it’s different folks, for I am right into it – we have a big “Carols on the Oval” extravaganza coming up at Newington, and the planning and organisation for this is occupying most of my waking, and some of my sleeping hours!

So here’s the quick advert:

When? Sunday night 1 December, 7.30pm (book it now on your family calendar)

Where? On one of Stanmore Campus’ beautiful ovals (Old Boys)

Who? You, and your extended family and friends (plus we are hoping our neighbours from the surrounding community will come along as well).

Bring a cushion or rug – there will be chairs for the veterans. Our school choirs will be there in full voice; a Rock Band (students and staff); our orchestra and lots of other surprises.

Indeed we are about to enter the “Advent” season, whether we like it or not, so I thought I’d finish off with a funny story and then a bit of a challenge. As most of you know I hail from the “Shaky Isles”, Aotearoa – or commonly known as New Zealand, and I am a die-hard All Black supporter (now is a nice time to be such a thing). One of our greatest ever All Blacks is Michael Jones who also happens to be a very committed Christian. He was a fast, big loose-forward known for his big hits (legal of course) on opposition players. He was once asked by a reporter, “Michael we understand you are a Christian, can you tell us how this is compatible with your ferocity on the field?” Michael replied, “Well as a Christian I take the words of Jesus very seriously, ‘It’s more blessed to give than receive’.”

And so let that be our challenge this Advent Season, as we prepare ourselves for the hurly burly of crowded shops and streets, Christmas parties, dinners and family gatherings, that we try and be gracious in our giving. I am not meaning the physical tackling sort of course, nor do I mean the giving of expensive gifts, but rather of having a “giving” attitude – positive and generous towards others-family, our friends and strangers. My greatest personal challenge will be being generous in shops and car park buildings and traffic jams as Christmas Day advances on us. What will yours be?

“…remembering therefore the words of the Lord Jesus himself who said, ‘it is more blessed to give than receive’” (Acts 20: 35)

I look forward to seeing you all on our College Campus at 7.30pm on Sunday 1 December – and please pass the word around.

Rev David N. Williams
College Chaplain