2010-12

M
any years ago my dad
decided to dress up in
a red Father
Christmas outfit and
sneak into everyone’s bedroom late
on Christmas Eve to deliver the
presents, including the room where
we had Nigerian students living with
us (three sisters named Bola, Bosé
and Bimbo). I invite you now to
imagine things from the perspective
of our dear and much loved Nigerian
sisters. One minute you’re fast
asleep, perhaps dreaming of distant
home and loved ones missed, when
suddenly your slumber is disturbed
by the creaking of floorboards
outside the bedroom. To your horror
the door slowly opens, and in creeps
a hooded man dressed in red – the
colour of blood! So you pull the
covers tight over your head (the
duvet is the safest place in the
Universe) and you remain as still as
death – too fearful to warn your
sisters! You remain in this motionless
state for hours – frozen in dread and
terrified that the red hooded murderer
might return to get you!
The Nigerian girls came down the
next Christmas morning (relieved that
they were still alive!) and told us all
about their terrible ordeal. My dad
then fetched his red Santa suit and
all three girls screamed – until we
were able to explain that he was
dressed up as Father Christmas to
deliver the presents, not some axewielding
maniac! I’m glad to say that
we were all able to have a good
laugh about it in the end.
Yet it’s amazing how differently
people think of Christmas and in
particular how they think of Father
Christmas. Many of us think of God
as a kind of Father Christmas figure.
Everyone says that Santa doesn’t
really exist, but deep down some part
of you wishes that he is real. It’s the
same with Father God. Although
people say that He doesn’t exist –
many of us have this feeling deep
down that He is really up there
somewhere.
My brother and I used to write out
letters to Father Christmas, fold them
up and then throw them up the
chimney. Those letters are probably
still there! I wonder if this is how you
think of Father God. Perhaps for
most of the year you don’t give God a
second thought, but if there’s a family
emergency, if illness strikes or
money is tight, you throw a prayer
“up the chimney” to Father God.
The good news this Christmas is
that, unlike Father Christmas, Father
God is real and longs for you to throw
your prayers “up the chimney”! You
might not always get what you ask
for, but He promises to answer all
your prayers, whether His answer is
Yes, No, or Wait. So this Christmas,
why not give Father God a try?
Jesus said, “But when you pray,
go into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father [God], who is
unseen. Then your Father [God], who
sees what is done in secret, will
reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Merry Christmas!
Daren Craddock
St Chads Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
email: office@stchads.org
Church Offices: 15 Camping Lane, Sheffield S8 0GB Page 17 website: www.stchads.org
Tel: (0114) 274 5086