The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, reflects on how Christmas is experienced by different people across the world.

Christmas Day isn’t the same for everyone.

Some will be in the northern hemisphere’s winter, dreaming of a white Christmas. But others will be on an Australian beach dreaming of cooling down.

Peter Pay, a new grandfather and Moderator-elect of the United Reformed Church General Assembly for 2020-22, thinks about the impact of new born babies.

It is all about to happen; to become real. Up to now there were hopes, fears and expectations. The reality is about to be revealed. Will the new arrival be what was wanted, what was needed? Will it be welcomed?

What will the future be like? Will this change things? Will we like the changes? How will they affect us?

Our first granddaughter, Florence, was born in September. Such a small person but her impact on the family is already significant. Her mum decided to stop working, the house is reorganised, family routines, finances and plans have all changed.

Christian campaigners have vowed to step up protests at a fracking site in Lancashire after a shale gas exploration company packed up its equipment for Christmas.

Fracking firm Cuadrilla operate the UK’s first horizontal shale gas exploration wells in Preston New Road, Blackpool, where dozens of tremors have been recorded since it began pumping high volumes of water underground in October looking for gas. 

Daleen Ten Cate, Missional Discipleship Mentor for the United Reformed Church North West Synod, who, with a team of others, has spent every Friday campaigning at the gates to the site, says protests will continue in the new year.