The Final Gift

Reg told us that as a four-year-old in 1947 he was watching workmen build Lowestoft’s North beach sea wall… ‘You shouldn’t be here, son,’ one man said. He was right. It was dangerous place for a small boy, alone.

‘Do you want to help me?’ a bulldozer driver called out. ‘Yes please.’ ’Bulldozer-driver lifted Reg up and they sat together driving the bulldozer. Four-year-old Reg had a lovely time ‘helping’ the workmen.

Later bulldozer-driver said, ‘You’ve worked hard today. You should be paid’. He sent Reg home with a ‘pay-packet’. The workmen had each given a penny…

Songwriter, author and speaker Sheila Walsh describes her ‘best Christmas’: ‘I was seven years old. There was just one thing I wanted that year: a baby doll. I’d seen her in the window of our town’s only toy store…’

Christmas morning finally arrives: ‘After a quick scan I began to panic. She wasn’t there. There were lots of gifts but not the one I wanted so much.’ Sheila opens her presents, disappointed, deflated.

‘What about your other gift… the one at your feet?’ her mum asked.’…There she was – my baby doll in a little cradle tucked under the chair.’

Last night we enjoyed ‘Seekers and Dreamers’ at our Seagull Theatre. It’s an annual tradition.

Mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed. Old folk carols were sung with enthusiasm. Stories of school nativity plays, Victorian Christmases and Tolstoy’s Papa Panov were read.

We considered Mary, Joseph and the Christ child… the romantic, happy Christmas of snow, angels and families… the working-class baby who grew up and was killed… truth, kindness and peace in today’s world of war, greed and lies…

We concluded with the Graham Kendrick blessing…

Peace to you
We bless you now in the name of the Lord.
Peace to you
We bless you now in the name of the Prince of Peace.
Peace to you

Musing… the final gift… the kind, unexpected pay-packet… the treasured, longed-for baby… the enduring Prince of Peace…