Picture the scene on Christmas Eve; the children are all tucked up in bed (hopefully) sound asleep by midnight while mum and dad use the wee small hours to bring the Santa presents down to get the surprise ready for morning which is now only hours away. Four a.m. was our earliest, I think!

Dad panics when he sees “batteries not included” on one toy, but mum’s thought of everything and there’s a drawer filled with enough batteries to power the town’s Christmas lights until March. And she’s got the black bin bag ready for the wrapping that will be ripped off.

Dad nips out to the shed where he’s hidden the child’s new bike, and brings it in to unwrap it from the cardboard and plastic covering. Having had a glass too many of celebratory wine, when he uses the sharp knife with a little too much gusto, dad looks in horror as the ripped front tyre emits a loud “hisssss….”

Try getting a new tyre at one o’clock in the morning on Christmas Day!

Ah, the excitement, stresses and strains of a family Crimbo, eh.

Suddenly as December races on and we’re less than three weeks from the big day, this month brings a range of emotions with all the joy and anticipation mingled with pressure on families.

An early sign is always the now-traditional John Lewis ad; the best in previous years was Buster the Boxer dog playing on the trampoline. But the 2018 one isn’t bad, Elton John as the boy and the piano with the finale slogan “Some gifts are more than just a gift.”

True. But the truth of it is that the really precious gifts are those that money can’t buy, and there are other videos around which emphasise that. One video made on a budget shows a young man coming down to listen to a taped message from his late mother, the last of a series of recordings she left him. Brought a lump to my throat anyway.

And there’s a BBC one where a teenage boy is a bit sad that his busy mother hasn’t time for him; but suddenly she realises that giving him her time is exactly what he craves.

I particularly like a message that a teacher posted to parents, recognising that the pressure is on them to create a magical Christmas, which usually people think means the best gifts.

But, says the teacher, I’m writing to tell you a secret. Every January when your child comes back to school, they tell me about Christmas holidays. They tell me about the days when everyone stayed indoors and watched tv. About the walk in the freezing cold to get a McDonald’s.

There’s a series of things the kids tell teacher they loved, how they all snuggled up in bed, going swimming and forgetting their towel, days in their PJs and many other family things.

The teacher writes: “They mention their gifts, but for them Christmas is you and your love and time and routines and feeling safe.”

As the season of Advent continues, though, it’s also important to remember that there are many people in our own community for whom Christmas is a tough time. It could be because it brings back emotional memories of loved ones, or even because current circumstances mean they can’t be with loved ones at home. Don’t underestimate the power of loss at Christmas.

Or, indeed, the way tough times over the year can all overwhelm some people at Christmas.

And there are also many, many people who feel the extra pressure of a commercialised Christmas. Imagine not having the money to buy your family anything; I would urge you to give to others in the next few weeks, whether it be local food banks, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul or any charity which helps at this time of the year. Remember, too, Women’s Aid who do unbelievable work for people in awful abusive relationships. (By the way, I share the disgust of many who watch politicians smiling patronisingly at the camera to promote their visit to food banks. Why don’t they do something to make sure such places aren’t needed?)

We really should be more compassionate all the year round, but if you only think of others at Christmas time, at least it’s something.

However, at this point let me say that it’s a tough old world and every day of the year somebody is struggling.

So, I want to unashamedly plug an event coming up in January.

The Hope, Healing and Health event is supporting the work of The Aisling Centre whose role is to promote positive mental health and emotional well-being throughout our county. I have tremendous admiration for this centre where adults and children go at difficult times in their lives, many in distress and despair.

The Aisling Centre is having this day of inspiration on January 5, 2019 in the South West Skills Centre Enniskillen where a range of outstanding speakers will share their own inspirational life stories and touch hearts in the process.

Details of the event, including the list of impressive speakers can be found on www.theaislingcentre.com

Aideen McGinley on behalf of the organisers encouraged people to attend, saying: “You will Hear personal stories of everyday miracles in a day of reflection, relaxation and restoration, you can try out healing approaches, enjoy the positivity of the event and be inspired in your own life journey as I was last year when the event exceeded all expectations which we want to build on. Ticket demand is expected to be high and at £15 it makes a perfect gift for Christmas, with a difference, for yourself or others who matter to you, whilst also supporting the essential work of the Aisling Centre.”

While Dr. Ann McDermott, chair of the Aisling Centre, says: “We were amazed at the impact of last years’ event which from the feedback was truly life changing and the demand to have it again was overwhelming. In particular we are indebted to the speakers and therapists who in a voluntary capacity gave of their time and expertise to make the day a very special one and again, for our second event, their generosity of spirit is humbling “

http://www.theaislingcentre.com

Tickets £15 available from

The Aisling Centre Enniskillen. Tel 02866325811 or https://www.facebook.com/theaislingcentre