Christmas shopping

Yesterday I went with Joanna to Booker.  One of the boys had asked me to get some sweets for him to divvy up for Christmas presents.  When we got to the til I did notice 'the first Noel' was drifting around in the air.     Joanna commented on the fact that they were playing Christmas music 'for a change'.   I have to say I've not noted that there is ever any music on in Booker.

This mng I looked on the BBC website and see there is a 'do you spend more when there is Christmas music playing in the shops' item.    There wasn't anywhere where I could respond - I feel so strongly about music that I must put it here, where hardly anyone will see it in any case :

I think music is a very important thing.  When shopping in Guildford 3 or 4 years ago there was some dreadful 'noise' (passing for music) which evidently the girl behind the till was controlling.   While I was waiting at the till (and becoming more and more agitated at the hellish sound and its volume) I was sorely tempted to leave the shop and not bother with buying the stationary items I wanted for Victoria.   I was so tried I mentioned it to whoever was with me - soon after that the girl behind the counter extended her hand and turned it off or down - can't remember which.    Christmas music is, at least, tuneful.  If the shops played tuneful music year-round they might find that more of the spending public would stay in the shop for longer and be more of a frame of mind when they THINK and make rational buying choices.  Then again, maybe they've done the research on this and revoltingly immoral lyrics accompanied by heavily synthesised sounds DOES sell more stuff - who knows.   I only know that there are shops (like Claires) which, when I'm in them I'm thinking about getting out as soon as possible - and sometimes that means I can't hang around long enough to buy anything, and that can't be good for business.    It's easier with the internet!

Research in Moseley (liverpool area) indicates that the largest fall in church attendance is amongst Anglicans.   Baptists and URC are next.   An increase in Charismatics and Pentecostal church attendance (in that area) is also revealed.   An overall fall in any church affiliation is evident.  Then again, why pick Moseley and who do you think funded the research?

Jesus is King - if he washes His hands of Britian for a while, who would be surprised.  This however is the same God who, for the sake of 'righteous' Lot (willing to toss his daughters out into the street to appease the sex-crazed masses!!!) He was prepared to spare even Sodom.   how much more like Sodom must it become here?    Lets pray that the 'righteous' in our nation might be shaken up and take God seriously 24/7  and start to live consistently with what we say we believe.   Lets become, once again, 'people of the book' and people of earnest, heart-felt, tear-stained prayer - and as we do that we can be confident that God will be active in showing, once again, His power.

Christmas blessings on all one-or-two of you who read this!!