Part one of our exclusive Father Christmas Interview

PART 2 of our interview with Farther Christmas can be read in next week's issue, and you will be able to hear the full interview as well. This is Part one.

Father Christmas was on the phone to our studio dressed in his traditional Green and White clothes. Before the interview he told us that he did not want to get his best red clothing dirty before the big night....

Father Christmas:- "Ho, Ho, Ho…"

Our Editor Patrick:- "You are known by so many names, so before we start the interview, is it ok to say Father Christmas?"

Father Christmas:- "Yes, of course!"

Our Editor:- "First of all what started you off on your task or should I say vocation of delivering presents to people at Christmas?"

Father Christmas:- "A very good question! I was not always a Saint you know. Back in the days of my youth; it would be have been the third-century; I had been born to wealthy parents in the city of Patara about 270 AD. That was in the South-West of modern day Turkey. Sorry, but my memory of dates is not all that good now. Anyway; the sad passing of my mother and father left me with a fortune. I was still very young, in modern day terms, a teen-ager. I was full of humility, well according to my friends that is. To me I was just being a good Christian. In those days it was not an easy life to be a Christian, but do not get me wrong, as in some parts of the world it is still hard today. Sorry, I am diverting from the story. I wanted to prove myself as a good person and wanted to put my fortune to some good use. As I looked for a way of serving the Lord, I had heard about a family who were destitute and starving. The father had no money for food, much less the dowry needed to marry off his three daughters. Do I need to explain what a dowry was or is?"

Our Editor:- "No, that's fine."

Father Christmas:- "To continue; this poor man was ready to send his oldest girl into the streets to earn a living as a prostitute. I could not let that happen. I felt that my duty as a Christian meant I had to use my good fortune to help them. I can picture it clearly now. I slipped out under the cover of night with my heart pounding hard; mainly from excitement and fear. I did not know what would happen. As I sneaked around the houses, I looked up at the sky. It was clear and moonless, the silver stars glistened so brightly back then. I would never have thought I would have the chance to be up in the sky with them. As I approached the family's humble dwelling, I was shivering with the anticipation of being able to put things right for this family. In my hands I had a bag of gold coins. Then it hit me. How would I give it to them? In a panic I decided not to knock on the door. They might have got the wrong idea, so I threw a bag of gold coins through the window. I then quickly ran away. The next day, as dawn broke, I sneaked back to the dwelling to hear the master of the house, the father, praising the Lord for the gold he had discovered. It was an amazing feeling. I was so happy. I took off with a spring in my step. The father later that day rejoiced that his family was saved and his daughter's honour could be preserved. My giving had secured a dowry for her marriage. This was an addictive feeling for me, so I secretly provided a dowry for the second and the third daughters. The problem occurred on the third occasion. I did not spot the girls' father as he stood watching me. The father was so happy and as soon as the bag of gold thudded on the floor, he chased after me. I ran as fast as I could, but he caught me. I was mortified to be discovered. I did not want any thanks for this. It was for me just an act of charity. So I made the father promise not to tell anyone who had helped his family. As the history books say, a good deed always comes back to haunt you because, by accident, it got out. But by then I had forsaken my wealth to answer a call to the ministry. So I think it was that feeling of doing God's work that got me on the road to becoming Father Christmas."

Our Editor:- "So what did you do in the church?"

Father Christmas:- "Well, I became a Bishop. My ministry was Myra and its region."

Our Editor:- "So what is Christmas to you?"

Father Christmas:- "It is more than just that just a date, it is my very foundation of my belief. OK, we might not have the correct date, but it is the message that is so important. Without the birth of Christ, we would not have Christmas. To me, it is all about giving to others, just as Christ gave to us."

Our Editor:- "So do you only give presents to Christians?"

Father Christmas:- "No, I give everyone presents. I respect everyone's religions, so even if they are not Christian, I still try and help them in some way. To me, to be Christian is to help my fellow man. I don't always give physical presents, sometimes I give the most precious present of all, and often without you realising it. The present of joy and good will is the most important present I can give. It encourages people to be charitable and thus helps improve the world around us."

Our Editor:- "I noted that you said earlier that you have not always been a saint. So were you naughty as a kid?"

Father Christmas:- "Well, I would be wrong to say I was always good as a kid. I was sometimes a mischievous child and I still am at times."

Our Editor:- "So would your wife agree that you are still a child at heart?"

Father Christmas:- "Yes, I think she would. If it was not for her, I would not be able to do what I do. I am very lazy at times and at others I slob around with the Elves. So, if I was in the Victorian era again, I would more that likely get a lump of coal instead of a nice present."

Our Editor:- "Has Christmas got too commercial in your view?"

Father Christmas:- "Sadly, the commercial side is required to help spread wealth as well as the religious side to spread the Christmas message. I do feel that many of us now place too much emphasis on physical presents though. We need to remember that Christmas is not just about toys and cash, it is about charity and family."

Our Editor:- "I have to ask, but did Coca-Cola change your fashion?"

Father Christmas:- "I would like to say 'what a load of nonsense' to that, but it is correct. After I moved up North, I was originally suited in green and white and, as it was far colder than what I was accustomed to, I started to wear slippers to keep me warm. I was in fact often seen in green and white, I even thought it helped me hide in the northern wilderness. You could say that it was my camouflage at the time, but it often failed. I did, from time to time, have other colours. Often I liked my blue suits, but at times I did have the odd red one. In fact, in 1863, I was portrayed in one of my red costume on the cover of Harper's Weekly. That was before the Coca-Cola advert. What changed my mind and got me more frequently into the red suit was an America artist called Haddon Sunblom. He and the Coca-Cola Company contacted me back in 1931, as I was starting to need access to factory made products. Their offer was that I would help their company and in return they would give me as many suits as I needed and also each year they used my image, they will pay me so I could purchase presents. So as a thank you I decided to dress in the trademark colours of the company, red and white. The rest is history…"

Our Editor:- "Did you feel bad about having to make a commercial deal with them?"

Father Christmas:- "All charities need donations and ways to raise cash and my operation does need cash at times. The general consensus is that I did the correct thing and I have always used funds gained from business to give to the community. The cash raised from the adverts helps the company pay wages and I get money as well to spend on others, I have lots of deals with many other companies, hence why the Coca-Cola company denies that they made me a symbol of commercialism."

Our Editor:- "Why did you move to the North Pole?"

Father Christmas:- "In fact my base of operations is in Lapland, not the North Pole, but I moved up there as it is a magical area. I can concentrate on my work without interference from people. Also my Elves, who make some of the toys for Christmas, live here. I do however now have lots of other helpers all around the world and warehouses in each country, Also I like the contrast between the landscape of my youth and this magical wilderness."

Read Part 2 in next weeks edition of Southport & Mersey Reporter and hear the hole interview by logging on next week.

Part one of our Father Christmas Interview

POSSIBLY the only surviving church wreathing in the country took place in Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, 13 December 08. ( If you know differently, please do let us know.) During the simple but moving service led by Rev Keith Jones, before a full congregation, children attired as the familiar Biblical individuals of the Nativity, carried figurines to place in the awaiting crib for the Blessing of the Crib. As this happened ,the age-old story of Christ's birth was retold, largely through readings and congregational carols. At the end of the service, many willing hands carried lines of carefully woven evergreens around the church. On command, these were skilfully lifted up, by pre-placed hooks, to form a complete ring around the building and the Christmas tree lights were turned on. Even in this age of alleged sophistication, symbolism can still play a major role in conveying powerful messages. In the Wreathing Ceremony the evergreens tell of Jesus as bringer of eternal life and the circle speaks of God always with us. Many societies and religions have and do celebrate light at this gloomy time of the year. For Christians, the lights represent the baby, born to be the Light of the World. In a world as anxious and angry as this, Hope is indeed precious. For further services, see a church near you. Finally , especially now over-emphasis on consumption and possessions has caught us out, Christians and indeed those of other creeds and none, would do well to ponder the spitual attributes contained in this prayer from the service and consider how these qualities might be applied to improve our situation:-

"May the humility of the shepherds,
The perseverance of the wise men,
The joy of the angels
And the peace of the Christ-child
be God's gift to you this Christmastime and always.
Amen."

Federation of Small Businesses Latest News

IN October the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) wrote to it's members setting out what the Federation is doing to represent then during these exceptional economic circumstances.   On Monday, 15 December 2008 John Wright, who is the Honorary National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses sent to their members a progress report on what they have achieved so far for UK business.  "The most pressing issue since October 2008 has been access to affordable finance. One in three FSB members has seen access to finance diminish and the cost increase. Accordingly, the FSB has lobbied the banks and Government, both directly and through the media, for a better deal. This is now starting to take effect with positive actions from four of the high street banks.

The FSB also proposed a £1 billion government loan guarantee for small businesses, which was actually adopted in the Pre-Budget Report. The FSB is now pressing the Government to implement this as soon as possible and have argued strongly for this funding to be available to businesses from the 1 January 2009.

We will inform our members as soon as we know how, where and when these funds are to be made available. Here at the FSB, we understand that a one-stop-shop website detailing the forms of funding available to businesses in difficulty will also be launched and that more information will follow shortly.

The FSB has also secured significant improvements in the principles that guide the banks' relationships with small business customers. Our lobbying efforts have resulted in the creation of a legally enforceable code of conduct for the banks. In addition, the FSB secured a commitment from the British Bankers Association that customers wishing to switch banks must be able to do so within five working days. This too will be legally enforceable.

Our Policy Department, led by Policy Chairman, John Walker, has worked very hard to reach this point, but I assure our members that we will not rest until the government and the banks deliver on their promises and affordable finance is flowing once again.

I know that all business owners in the UK will face a challenging year ahead. I would, nevertheless like to take this opportunity to wish you all peaceful and happy Christmas and all best wishes for the New Year."

To find out more about the FSB, please visit their website via:- fsbnewsletter.org.uk.