“So what did you do for Christmas; have a nice time?” Usually the question people ask after the festivities wind down, and the glow of Christmas loses it sparkle when lights and tinsel are taken down. In its place there is a sort of emptiness, a strange feeling as though... as though... it sort of never happened.

I have often felt like that, as I am sure many others have too. However, instead of the usual answer to the common question, I can say that I and some others who accompanied me, will have a different answer. “What did you do for Christmas...?” Well, a few of us from the congregation here in Castlemilk made our way to the “Marie Curie Hospice” for cancer patients. This is the type of place that for many, has only an “in” door. Those in the last throes of life due to this terrible disease, live out their last few days or weeks here. Some of the “luckier” patients get to leave for home visits but are soon re-admitted. For the most part the sufferers don’t see the outside again.

We made our way there to sing Christmas carols for the patients – to say this was a rewarding and uplifting experience is to understate it entirely. Patients, members of staff and even visitor were touched by our efforts... one little lady even made a request for us to come by her room a second time... we gladly obliged. The joy on her face was tangible – she loved it; not because we were great singers, but in spite of our singing abilities. She was touched by our efforts, and we hope, by the sentiment of the lyrics and the cheer in our hearts.

The staff members were an absolute joy. Afterwards, they thanked us with tea/coffee and home bakes and the ensuing conversation was warm, funny and sincere.

We are a small congregation, but the little we have goes a long way. Others have been helping tirelessly in a cold storage building, making up food parcels for the poor for an organisation called “Loaves and Fishes.” One of the organisers was overheard to say, “I don’t know what we would have done without you.” She meant it too.

We collected almost £1000 from our members and made up food parcels for those who have a need in our own community, not to mention flowers being delivered to some members of the community who are struggling with illness.

While the Christmas cheer fizzles out; the lights come down and the glow dies, these things will keep a glow of a different kind burning for a very long time. I’m more than proud to be a member of this little Body and I hope that God blesses us even more than he has.

“So, how was your Christmas...?”

The Church of Christ, Castlemilk.