Well, here we are in December. The last month of a year that no doubt will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The year that for the first time for the majority of us we lived through a pandemic. The word and idea of ‘Lockdown’ became a reality rather than something from the movies and for a while off and on we lived in ‘Bubbles’! – what a year indeed.
Thankfully a vaccine has now been approved and indeed a second one will hopefully be approved in the following days. The fact that the first jabs will take place tomorrow is because Brexit has allowed us as a Nation to accept our Health Professionals guidelines on this while the EU is delaying their decision while they sort out all the red tape that hinders so much in the Brussels machine.
Personally if it was possible, I would be at the front of the queue to get the jab. I have no qualms whatsoever about it. If you are anti vaccine that is up to you but as for me…bring it on. Has it come far too soon? NO. Scientists have been working on an anti Coronavirus vaccine for years. Coronavirus is not new, the Covid-19 strain is, but a lot of the ground work had already been done. The usual 10 years to develop a vaccine is under normal circumstances, but 2020 was not normal. Its usually hard to get enough volunteers for trials but with Covid-19 researchers were inundated with willing participants. Usually development costs are prohibitive but as we all know with this vaccine money was no barrier. Well done to the brilliant minds that sorted this and I for one will trust them more than I will trust the keyboard warriors on Facebook and Twitter who claim it will alter my DNA etc etc. (Maybe theirs needs altered!)
For my job I already have a vaccination passport, its required in many countries to prove immunisation for Yellow Fever etc so I will show (with pride) whatever proof I need that I have taken the Covid-19 jab. Personally I think it should be a mandatory injection to protect the whole population but, as the Government has said it will not make it so, I am sure various other organisations will if you wish to avail of their services. I understand Qantas Airlines require it if you wish to fly with them and I have no problem with that. For me the news of the jab is a welcomed Christmas Present.
Speaking of Christmas, it really is upon us. Sadly this year I am not in Panto due to the restrictions, so I am going all out with decorations and enjoying the whole build up that I normally miss due to all the panto performances.
My Christmas tree has been up now for over a week with 800 led lights! The trees outside my front door have lights on them, the two Cherry Blossom trees that I planted in memory of my beloved dog Charlie who died in January, have lights on them and the fence around my back garden along with the upstairs bedroom balcony have lights on them too. In my house it most certainly is “beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Christmas movies are on the TV constantly. I love it!
So here we all are. Covid jabs and Christmas Jollies is what this month is about, (with the roll out of the jab lasting into early new year.) a remedy for a deadly disease. Isn’t that what Christmas is about too? The baby born in the lowly manger in Bethlehem was the gift from God to save this world from a far greater illness than Covid-19, – the ravages of sin.
St Matthew wrote that very same thought in his Gospel. Matt ch 1 v21 ; And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins. What a gift given. St Paul reiterated that in his epistle to the Romans. Rom ch6 v23; The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let’s remember the true reason for this most special season.
Have a great Christmas, look after yourselves and your families. May your baubles be bright, your presents be big and your hangovers (if you drink) be small. Look out for your friends and neighbours. I really hope 2021 is a great year for you all and God willing I look forward to hearing your laughter at one of my shows somewhere next year. xx
