Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2006/January 2007 | Page 10

TRAVEL

FOREWORD
Diary
NEW CHRISTMAS CD
A collection of Carols old and
new sung by Robert Wilkinson
and friends. £5.00 each proceeds
to Motor Neurone Disease
Association and Beaulieu
House Children’s Respite Care
Home. Tel: [phone]
Thursday 14th December
CHRISTMAS CAROL EVENING
IN AID OF R.A.B.I.
Where: Isle of Wight
Lavender Farm
Rev. Graham Morris will be
attending this evening carol
service which is in aid of the
Royal Agricultural Benevolent
Institution. Mince pies and
mulled wine. Starts 7.00pm.
Tickets £5.00. Contact - Jackie
Abbott. 01983 825272.

December 9th, 10th, 16th,
17th, and 20th to 24th
SANTA SPECIALS
Where: Havenstreet
Santa Specials at the Steam
Railway have been a feature
of Christmas on the Island
for 25 years. In addition to
a 10 mile round trip on the
steam train, there are seasonal
refreshments for Mum and Dad,
a goodie bag for the kids and
a journey through the Winter
Wonderland to see Santa in
his grotto where each child
receives a quality present.
For bookings please
call 01983 885923

10

The

Island MP

Andrew Turner
Column

The
traditional
British
Christmas
is
sometimes
derided as a foreign invention
– brought to England by
Prince Albert, embellished by
a red-coated, snowy-bearded
Father Christmas who was
created as an American
marketing
character.
Curiously some who mock are
the same as those who insist
that we should not play up
the religious element of the
festival for fear of offending
people of non-Christian faith.
It is often the same people who call
for Christmas to become a more
inclusive festival – to give it meaning
for those who live in our society who
are not Christians. So can one have a
‘multifaith’ celebration? Not without
ridding the event of its meaning.
Christmas
is
a
Christian festival,
the celebration of
God’s Son being
born on earth in
human form. Other
religions do not
accept the divinity
of Christ. We may
respect their views
but we cannot
accept them and
remain Christian.
Christmas
for
Christians is a time
to proclaim the good
news of Christ’s
birth. In a Christian
country that should
not be controversial,
and while it is not
believed by those
of other faiths, I

doubt it surprises or offends them,
any more than the recognition
of Mohammed as the Prophet by
Moslems surprises or offends me.
Other religions have their own
festivals and because I do not share
their beliefs I do not need to share
their celebrations. People of all
religions are welcome to share in
our celebration of Christmas but
because they do so it doesn’t mean
it should change.
I am sure those who want
Christmas without Christ are well
meaning. For them controversy
is destructive, and disagreement
divisive. They look at the way our
society has incorporated elements
of different cultures, and think that
religion should be equally flexible.
I believe they are wrong. Despite
the increasing commercialism of
Christmas, for many more people
than would probably admit it,
Britain remains a Christian country.

In November British Airways’
employee
Nadia
Eweida
unexpectedly found herself in the
front line when she was banned
from wearing a cross the size of
a sixpence. (Turbans and hijabs
were acceptable under their
uniform policy because they cannot
practically be concealed.) After
widespread protest, her wishes were
met. It’s a further cultural change.
Christians in Britain are not used
to proclaiming the faith by what
we wear, but in response to the
celebration of other religions, more
now wish to do so. In this Christian
country, fewer believe that their
faith should be submerged, least of
all at Christmas.
May the message of Christmas be
with us all, now and throughout the
year.

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net