The Gift Of Jesus

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Last night as I was ironing my pink flowery shirt for midnight mass, I turned on the TV and heard discussions about what should be placed on Christmas Trees and what should not. Hardly inspiring given that I am such a decorative person. But seconds later I saw a familiar face and heard a familiar voice talking about what Christmas really is about. Father Valerian, one of three founding fathers of our very own Genesis II Choir, reminded me of what I, for one, definitely had to be reminded of: that Christmas itself is a celebration; a celebration of the birth of Jesus who was born as a gift to all of us; that when we exchange presents, we exchange Jesus in our lives.

Those few lines probably mean nothing to the non-believer and little to the skeptical, but for once this entire year, I didn't brush off the words of a priest as " darn preaching". Which perhaps motivated me to give just a little gift to any one out there who is going through a cold, dark and lonely Christmas this year. Those far away from home; those with partners far from their side; those without partners; those who search but can't seem to find themselves; those whose lives seem to be going down the drain; those who seem to have lost all aim in life. I can't give you the world, nor help you find what you are looking for, but what I can do is to show you a little something that might cheer you up a little, because you're not the only one who's down and out.

The lyrics of the song "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell were criticized of being too sad and depressing in the 1970s. But some 30 years later, the song still plays on the radio at least once a day, and it never fails to remind the world that things aren't as bad as they seem.
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Streets Of London
Have you seen the old man
In the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper, with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you
Through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking, She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you
Through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world over the rim of his tea-cup
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you
Through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears.
In our winter city, the rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you
Through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind
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