CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION

Looking through my files, Christmas and Easter have proved some of the richest inspiration for my writing. I mean, they are big events for a Christian, to put it mildly. But they each also have helpful lead ups for reflection in Advent and Lent.

One of my recurring themes or passions or driving forces – I’m not entirely sure which – is finding links between the Biblical events and modern day experiences. I try to put myself in key characters’ shoes and ask myself, ‘What if that happened now?’ ‘What is the modern equivalent?’ ‘How have things changed or not?’ Essentially, I’m still writing ‘compare and contrast…’ essays from school!

I think it started when I had my children. Sitting pregnant in a carol service following hyperemesis made me consider travelling to Bethlehem in a new light. My mum commented that we would both have insights into Mary’s experience of bearing a firstborn son. And I found myself ‘treasuring these things inn my heart’ just as Mary did, which became treasuring and reflecting on them on paper.

Since then, I’ve written:

·       - A reading for two voices intermingling the gospel account of the nativity with my own experience of pregnancy and birth

·       - A drama sketch of two different women and God compiling their Christmas To Do lists

·       - A descriptive piece on Joseph’s unnoticed role

·       - Various poems, including a comparison of Jesus’ genealogy with mine, mutual experiences of labour, and similar dashed expectations of pregnancy and birth.

·       - A carol called Immanuel that attempts to answer some of the difficult questions about God’s relevance today

·       - A blog series throughout Advent based on our Jesse Tree tradition and ornaments

Some of these have been used in public – the reading in one of my brother’s Christmas Day services; the Joseph piece in an ACW anthology. I probably should be braver and look to hone and publish some of the others.

But I do think Christmas is a time when many people are open to reading and thinking about the Christian story.

So as writers, it’s a time when we can challenge the myths of the tinsellified version that is dominant in the public domain. It’s a time when we can ‘comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received’ when facing a difficult Christmas, whether that’s because of bereavement or restrictions or loneliness. It’s a time we can hone in on shared human experiences like a new baby in the family or coping with unexpected news or dealing with government diktats. It’s a time we can remind others that the cute baby became a challenging man. It’s a time when we can point to the ongoing relevance of God, to introduce Him to those that don’t know Him, and to make Him accessible to others.

I’d love to know – do you find Advent/Christmas a time of inspiration? And how do you use your writing to make God more alive to others?

Liz Manning fits writing around being an Occupational Therapist, BB captain, wife, and mum to two adults. Or perhaps it's the other way round. She blogs regularly at https://thestufflifeismadeofblog.wordpress.com/, has two WIPs and more ideas in the pipeline.