It comes to all of us sooner or later.   That is assuming we are fortunate to have a pension in addition to the State one.   There is the further assumption – that we are enthusiastic about meeting with former colleagues who once may have lorded it over us or vice versa!

Then there is the seating arrangements!   By and large the HR department do a good job at observing who gets on well with who and are to be congratulated.   There are always going to be the smart boys who gang up to ensure that they sit together over-riding any arrangement which may have distributed them around the tables.

Unless you are endowed with steel tonsils your voice will only reach a maximum of three at the table so sustained conversation is hard to achieve.   It is made all the harder by the constant canned music without which it seems there cannot be a party!

The public saying of grace was dispensed with some 10 years ago.   This seems a pity as we are treated to a recital of the company’s fine results with especial emphasis on the performance of the pension scheme!    There follows an excellent meal with all the appropriate seasonal fare.   So much to be thankful for.   So much taken for granted!

Of course there is the sobering moment in the proceedings when the names of those who died in the past twelve months are read out.    This reminder of our own mortality is not dwelled upon and is soon submerged in the pulling of crackers, paper hats and the usual junk that falls onto the table.

There are overtones however in the dominant themes of our conversations.   “How’s the health?”   “You are looking well.”   And the white lie, “You are looking younger than ever!”   Then there is the age question!   This only applies after you have been going to these events for a number of years.

“But what age are you?”   A competitive edge creeps into the longevity stakes!   Regression to the childhood fixation with wishing to be older – and still standing!

The Bible tells us to “Number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm chapter 90 verse 12).   And where is this wisdom to be found?   It is in Jesus who became to us wisdom from God (1 Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 30).

Let’s tune into some of this wisdom.   “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor pin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (St Matthew chapter 6 verses 26 – 34).

It’s so simple, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”.   Jesus is our righteousness (1 Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 30).    Jesus is the door to the kingdom.   The way in is through Him.   “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved” (St John chapter 10 verse 9).   Trust Him.