Everything’s quiet, it’s brilliant.
If only it could be said that this beloved hymn, which highlighted from the trenches the Christmas truce of 1914, is from 2020.
We have all had a year of wonderful confusion and sadness, and the concept of setting aside the truth in time for Christmas can be complicated for many.
From the dramatic headlines that point out that “Christmas is canceled” to the debate about the combination of homes, only one thing is certain in this festive season: we are facing a very different Christmas.
Christmas is a collection period, from which we have departed since the first lockout in March.
What would normally be a month full of parties, pantomimes and pigs in blankets has been replaced by, well, we’re not sure.
The relief of not enduring Christmas weariness and dinner with cheating parents will explain why it is enough to toast some, while others mourn the loss of a classic December 25.
From the first Christmas trees to a major boost to local shopping, a Covid Christmas is rarely very dark.
Is magic still alive and maybe a socially remote birthday party will reveal a festive season of yesteryear?
We read about the elements that make up the great day and notice that hope and joy are still alive and collected, if you only knew where to look.
Reverend Shuna Dicks used to give a sermon on Christmas Eve to a crowded congregation, with a status room only at cults Parish Church, just outside Aberdeen.
She thinks it would possibly be the most popular service of the year, with many other people not going to church.
But the decision was made to organize the circle of relatives through Zoom, before the booking service proceeded normally.
When the clock ticks to midnight, Mrs. Dicks will be impatient at home on Christmas morning.
Instead, she will disinfect the church with her husband and fellow volunteers to follow the rules so that the church can open on December 25.
While a minister’s vision of exchanging the Bible for a disinfectant would possibly be a replacement sign in time, Dicks believes there is still hope of finding it.
“Surveillance night has to be one of my favorites all year round,” she says.
This is the time when it approaches before the passage to Christmas Day.
“From my point of view, my religion has been strengthened this year. I’ve never given up hope that bigger things will happen.
“Christmas is synonymous with hope, peace, love and joy.
“People are asking for Christmas to be special and we are doing everything we can to make it possible.
“There will be a limited number of other people for the night watch service, it is broadcast live on YouTube.
“After the night, a small organization of us will go blank to allow Christmas Day service to continue.
“There will be, and there have been other people alone on Christmas Day. We need to be able to offer everything they can attend. “
Along with a major replacement in the services, Ms. Dicks made the decision that a nativity would continue.
Cults Parish Church will eventually be part of what it calls “a mega parish” with five churches merging west of Aberdeen.
“Despite everything, there will be a time when there will be only one minister,” Dicks said.
“But at the moment there are five of us and we all contribute to the YouTube channel.
“For the Nativity, the young people of the five churches cared about Zoom and this was registered for our service on the 20th.
“I was worried about editing and it’s still a classic in the sense that young people need to be encouraged.
“It was not sublime and professional, and that in itself made it normal.
“The headlines warned that Christmas was canceled, but Christmas is still here. He’s never going anywhere.
“This is more than ever, we just had to reconsider the way we do things.
“How can we make it artistic and meaningful?
“The concept that Christmas is simply Christmas with many other people is simply not true.
“The previous period is observation, waiting and anticipation.
Christmas Day doesn’t end, because the 12 days of Christmas go from January 25th to 5th.
“I hope we can keep the spark alive. “
There is a fair concern that Santa will not be able to deliver gifts this year, with restrictions and the threat of home-to-home contamination.
But don’t worry, the guy in the red suit has tactics and means that the elves know.
Meanwhile, charities in the region have done their best for them on the front lines of delivery.
Offshore employee Liam Wilson made the decision to spread some Christmas cheer, with some special motorcycle car tours.
The father of two, who lives in Countesswells, Aberdeen, is a North East Riders Volunteers (Nervs) cyclist.
The charity, which is the local blood bank in Aberdeen, provides loose shipments to Grampian Health Services, with the immediate delivery of medicines and equipment.
Christmas is a special time of year for Liam, who even gave birth to her daughter on Christmas Eve.
“Ariah is 4 years old and Laila is two, she was waiting for Christmas Day,” she said.
“Chelsey worked hard for 36 hours for the first time, so when the checkout left the room, it didn’t seem like much panic. We even had exactly the same parter the first time. “
“But the birth came so temporarily that I gave birth to Laila myself.
“Christmas is very special to us as a family. “
Liam rides a Speed Triple RS Triumph and has already delivered Easter eggs with nerves.
“I was moved because we saw so many disadvantaged young children,” he said.
“We’ll turn on our lights and sirens, and leave the packages at the front door this Christmas.
“It’s a way to get back on the net, because the network will be there for you. “
Organiser Gillian Innes had many paintings to make to organize the routes, with cyclists delivering from Aberdeen to Laurencekirk.
“We tried to make an effort for the little ones, but the media demand was sold,” Gillian said.
“We’ve been able to raise more than $3,000 for Nervs, and we’re so pleased that other people still need our cause in those difficult times.
“A girl told us that we had stored Christmas because her son had been wounded and could pass out in Santa’s cave.
“We have clearly made sure that all the right procedures are in place, and our festive runners are a sight to watch.
Christmas is a wonderful example for Ann-Elyse Finnie, who lives in Peterhead with her husband and three children.
Ann-Elyse, who is a senior sales consultant, has a kind of online feel, after creating a Facebook page to help others.
Cooking Through The Corona as a way to exchange recipes and use basic closet items, however, the organization now has more than 30,000 members.
“I love cooking, it relaxes me, ” said Ann-Elyse.
“It’s been a dying moment for most people.
“I didn’t expect the page to take off, all with undeniable dinners.
“2020 is the year when everything is allowed, but it is also a time when other people are on a budget.
“My husband and I are passionate about cooking, so we tried to do a test for Christmas dinner. “
Ann-Elyse believes that the big occasion becomes too confusing and does not require a huge budget.
“The food itself is a roast, so we tried a frozen turkey,” he says.
“I charged 8 euros and we had leftovers for our old neighbor, and we were going to make a curry.
“There are special gifts on vegetables, the key is to prepare them the day before.
“Food brings other people in combination and that’s why everyone asks for a rest of the restrictions.
“There has been a lot of network spirit this year, and other people are aware of their budget while sharing what they have.
“I think other people are clinging to Christmas, hoping that next year will be better. “
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that the spirit is alive and kicking.
Many projects were introduced in December, and many others desperately needed support.
Kincardine and Deeside Befriending (KDB) has been around for nearly 25 years, and volunteers paint with others over the age of 55 who are at risk of social isolation while still living at home.
The charity replaced face-to-face with phone calls, which many recipients saw as a lifeguard.
Not content with a weekly chat, KDB also delivers a hundred Christmas gift bags with local businesses.
“Christmas is a difficult time for many, and this year because of the pandemic, the holiday season will bring a number of other challenges,” said Liz Treasure, Senior Coordinator at KDB.
“A Christmas gift bag delivered through one of our volunteers will bring comfort and joy to those who live alone, especially at this time of year.
The younger generation also participated, as the gift bag will include home-made Christmas cards from local elementary schools, adding Dunnottar in Stonehaven, Hill of Banchory, Laurencekirk and St Cyrus.
KDB recently won a Community Spirit Award from Aberdeen Voluntary Action and is still for volunteers to become friends.
If you think you can help, kdbefriending. org. uk or call Liz Treasure at 01569 765714.
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