a good in-vestment

I have been to a few school nativities this year, and there is more to come at our church on Sunday. I have noticed something that may actually be helpful financial advice. It is to invest in the companies producing the items that are turned into nativity vestments. In particular, I would advise investing in companies that make tea towels and rope (shepherds’ headgear); curtains (gowns for wise men) and white bedsheets (angel outfits). It may be that these companies will experience seasonal increases in demand that will reflect well in their profits.

Of course, I am not a financial adviser and the value of nativity outfits can go down as well as up, but in these days of financial uncertainty perhaps it’s worth considering.

I would also recommend that you consider selling cushions outside churches (for the long carol services on hard pews); buying up all the stocks of small tin foil cases so you can drive up the price for the mince-pie producers; and stockpiling antacid and selling them door-to-door on Boxing Day.

If you are prepared to think laterally there are all sorts of financial opportunities afforded by Christmas.

And if you are prepared to think laterally there are all sorts of spiritual opportunities afforded by Christmas. Mary was prepared to accept the impossible; Joseph was prepared to think outside the box and believe an angel in a dream; the shepherds engaged in some blue sky (or should that be black sky) thinking when confronted by the heavenly host and leave their flocks in their excitement; wise men took an almighty risk in acting on the way they interpreted the stars (and did God REALLY use astrology?). We can join the herald angels in singing ‘glory to the newborn king’; find God’s message of love in unlikely places and people; we can find fresh insights in familiar words; and we can allow the baby who is designated ‘Immanuel’ to be with us as we are with others.

Be blessed, be a blessing.

And don’t take financial advice from me!