Chris Cole FRSA
Chris Cole FRSA

Christmas is over, and many of us are wondering what all the fuss was about - presents have been gladly given and rapturously received, food perfectly prepared and delightedly devoured, good wishes exchanged and family and friends visited, but surely there was supposed to be more to it? Like I said last month, the phrase "know Christ, know Christmas" may be a little contrived, but it packs real meaning. However, I'm happy to report that the trend of taking Jesus Christ out of Christmas, and the denial of the relevance of faith (particularly the Christian faith) to our everyday life in the UK, is being reversed.

According to a report published by Christian relief & development agency Tearfund at least 20 million people pray in the UK, and:

  • One in five adults believes 'prayer changes the world'

  • One in three adults believe that God is watching over them

  • Of the 42% (20 million) of UK adults who pray, 13 million pray at least once a month and 12 million at least once a week. Nine million adults pray every day.

  • One in three believes God will answer their prayers

  • And as a result of prayer, people feel they are more peaceful and content (38%), stronger (30%), reassured (21%) and happier (19%)

The results of the survey reveal strong belief in the power of prayer to bring about positive change in the world. Let's face it, most people really do want to make the world a better place - prayer is often the very source of the actions we need to take to make it so.

This survey coincides with a remarkable debate held in the House of Commons, during which MP Mark Pritchard made the following points:

"I have never met a single Muslim, Jew, Sikh or Buddhist, or person of any other faith, who has told me that they object to Christians celebrating Christmas. That they do object is a false, secular-driven proposition. Indeed, the Muslim Council of Britain said: 'We see no reason for any Muslim to be upset or offended for the celebration of Christmas or any other festival of any faith'.

What is offensive to people of other faiths is when secularists, society's liberals and the politically correct brigade use the names of other faith groups as a bogus cover from which to launch attacks on Britain's Christian traditions and festivals. Not only are those assaults divisive, but they undermine this country's hard fought for freedoms-important freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

It cannot be right that all views are valid in the public arena as long as they are not traditional or orthodox Christian views. That is both intellectually inconsistent and socially unviable.

It is time for the dragon of political correctness to be slain, and I invite the Government to take the first body blow in the name of freedom of speech and freedom of religion."

I wholeheartedly endorse Mark Pritchard's comments. I would only add that the civic leadership of our good city of Plymouth has at least had the good sense to name Christmas, Christmas, in most of its literature and celebrations, and has not bowed to the ridiculous fashion of calling it "Winter Festival" or just "Holiday Season" - good for them, our prayers are with them as we go into 2008 full of hope and full of prayer.

P.S. You can read more of Mark Pritchard's debate on this website, along with other life-articles that engage with today's hot topics in a very positive way.

This article was originally published in the Plymouth Shopper, a group of 7 localised community newspapers produced by Cornerstone Vision, reaching 62,000 homes every month in Plymouth. Each edition carries positive news stories and features, and provides local businesses, community groups and organisations with a very localised media platform to reach their own area. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.