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With the festive season nearly upon us, we spoke to BU’s Reverend Ruth Wells, to find out what Christmas means to her.

I have to admit, I love Christmas! I’ve been known to sneakily watch one of those original Christmas films in November and my house already has garish homemade paperchains precariously clinging around my lounge, ready for the big day.

Beyond the glitz and kitsch though, Christmas has a deep and profound hold on me as a Christian. Six years ago, I was preparing for Christmas, working in a church and eight months pregnant. I remember vividly climbing the steps of the pulpit to address a packed congregation of folks on Christmas Eve, many rolling in from the pub or escaping last minute present wrapping. Midnight Mass is a traditional church service which marks the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, and as I spoke to those people in that church 6 years ago – my own belly bulging – I was moved by this well-worn story in a new way.

For Christians, Christmas is a time when we remember Godself turning up on earth as a newborn baby – Jesus. And rather than busting in all grown up as a powerful and mighty king, God gives up power and embraces what it is to be human, from start to finish.  That Christmas Eve six years ago, I felt the resonance of anticipating my own baby’s birth – the vulnerability, the anxiety and the hope. 

Christmas is for me intrinsically hopeful. In the messy beauty of what it is to be alive, I hold on to a belief that along with all those who have gone before me, and are yet to come, God too experienced what it is to be human. I don’t think there were garish paperchains at that first Christmas, but I think there was excitement, and stress, and hope all wrapped up with the new parcel of a tiny, helpless baby."

BU’s Faith and Reflection Centre

You may not be aware, but here at BU we have a team of chaplains and faith advisers who offer confidential and non-judgemental support, guidance, prayer and a listening ear, regardless of whether you have faith or not. Our is located on the first floor of Talbot House on Talbot Campus and is open during term time, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Find out more about our team and what the space might be able to offer you.

Winter break

Some of our facilities and services will be closed during the winter break, so we've put together some things to do if you're staying in Bournemouth and details of where to find help and support if you need it.