Advent calendar 2020

Advent 20 - Friday 18th December 2020

'Krampus – the anti Santa!'

In the news this morning, was a story about school cleaner in Glencoe Primary School. It was alleged that the cleaner told a group of young children that Santa did not exist and was in fact satan!
As you can image the children were left confused and distressed and the individual in question has faced what the council describe as appropriate disciplinary action. There was around half a dozen children involved, but according to one parent, ‘and most of them still believe in Santa Claus!’
The story reminded me of a scary tradition that exists in parts of Eastern Europe called the Krampus, who could best be described as the anti-Santa! According to folklore, the Krampus, is the son of Hel – the Norse god of the underworld. He is a half-goat, half-demon monster with horns and a long tongue. He carries birch to whip bad children and sometimes a sack or basket for kidnapping them! He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas.
This terrible creature is said to arrive at the same time as St Nicholas, on the evening of December 5th. While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell. On December 6, St. Nicholas Day, children awaken to find their gifts or nurse their injuries!

Bible Reading

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -- Romans 12:21

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4: 18

Reflection

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can either keep us safe or keep us under control. For example, we need to be fearful of what Covid-19 can do to ourselves and the people around us. It has been estimated that in the North East some 55% of infections come from community transition – interacting with the people who are already infected and probably unaware of it.
In contrast, there is fear designed to keep us control. The myth of the Krampus is of course a figure that inspires fear. But this is not God’s way. God’s ways are not our ways. The way of Christ is the way of love. There should be no room for fear in our relationship with God. If there is fear in your life, there is an urgent need for spiritual growth!

Rev Sean Swindells
Cruden Parish Church

Prayer

Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right out of our Christmas stockings.
Crazy weather disasters strike at unsuspecting areas, ravaging peaceful homes and interrupting the lives of unsuspecting residents.
Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!”
We need your peace, Jesus.
Lord, we still carol the wonderful message, huddled beneath winter caps on snow-covered porches, or from churches, led by enthusiastic musicians or choir members.
Yet we confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come.
Will it ever? Is the message still true?
In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again.
This Christmas make it real in our hearts.
Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now.
Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh.
Forgive us for forgetting—that Your love never changes, never fades, and that You never abandon the purpose for which You came: to save us from our sinful condition, and to give us life eternal, the joy of relationship with a holy God.
Your birth—and Your death—sealed Your promise to us forever.
Amen.

Blessing
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
the obedience of Joseph,
the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the determination of the magi,
and the peace of the Christ child.
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
bless you now and forever.  
Amen

 

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