2. I imagine that almost everyone in this room has seen a version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at one Christmas or another.
In fact, you have probably seen many versions and have you own particular favourite:
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
The version with Patrick Stewart in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
The version with Jim Carrey giving voice to the animated image of Ebenezer Scrooge – the theme track for which you heard on entry this morning
The Muppet’s Christmas Carol with Michael Caine in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge
Of course, whichever version you prefer, the basic message is the same:
The miserly and unpleasant Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Future
And is encouraged to think about how
Actions he had taken in the past had made him and many others unhappy
Actions he could take in the future could change all of this to make him and many other much happier

3. “If” ‘What if I had read that book or article?’
‘What if I had put an entry into that competition?’
‘What if I had read those instructions properly?’
What if I had said yes?’
‘If’ is a tiny word, and yet its meaning is huge. How many times have you thought, ‘What if?’ or, ‘If only I’d ?’ – It is often used to indicate that we could have taken a completely different path, often pointing to things we wish we had done. ‘What if I had read that book or article?’
‘What if I had put an entry into that competition?’ ‘What if I had read those instructions properly?’ What if I had said yes?’

4. “If” ‘If only I’d revised more.’ ‘If only I’d made more of an effort.’
‘If only I hadn’t said [or done] that.’
– It can indicate the difference between accepting a situation and knowing that you could have done better. Often we say, ‘If only I’d done x, y or z.’ ‘If only I’d revised more.’ ‘If only I’d made more of an effort.’ ‘If only I hadn’t said [or done] that.’ Think of a time when you have used the term ‘if only’, and then think about how that made you feel.

5. “If” is also the title of a poem by Rudyard Kipling that was written at the end of the C19th to provide his son, John, with advice and guidance to help him successfully grow from childhood to adulthood.
Much of its language is characteristic of its time: in some places this makes it strange to our ears while in other places it uses phrases that we might not be comfortable with.
Nevertheless, the underlying messages are powerful and timeless, explaining why it has inspired
songwriters such as Joni Mitchell
the designers of the changing rooms at Wimbledon
motivational speakers and TV commentators
and was voted the nation’s favourite poem in a 1995 poll organised by the BBC.
As I read the poem to you, listen carefully to its words and think about what ideas seem most relevant to you?

7. 2
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

8. 3
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

9. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

10. Almost 20 years after this poem had been written Kipling found himself dealing with disaster
It was the same disaster that impacted on so many families throughout Europe at that time:
his only son, John, died in great agony in September 1915 serving in the World War One trenches.
How do you respond to such tragedy?
In part, by working to try and ensure there was no repeat of such a devastating conflict.
Kipling committed himself to the work of commemoration suggesting the biblical phrase "Their Name Liveth For Evermore" (Ecclesiasticus 44.14, KJV) found on the Stones of Remembrance in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cememtries.
The hope for peace was damaged between 1939 and 1945, but since then the European nations have been much more successful at resolving disputes between them without resort to war.

11. “If” for 2015 and beyond?
If by this time next year you are able to say I really did:
… treat other people in the way that I like being treated;
… try as hard as I could when faced with challenges in work and in relationships;
… seize the opportunities presented by life
Then you will
have made a positive contribution to our world and
be able to feel great pride in all you have done.
My assembly this morning has deliberately looked to past experiences to provide us with key reference points that might guide us in the present and future.
In the story of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge learnt the lesson that while being selfish might increase his bank balance it did not bring him personal happiness.
Through Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” we are reminded that every day presents us with tests of character as we consider how to respond to challenges and opportunities.
So as we begin 2015,
what lessons did you learn last year?
what challenges and opportunities will you face this year?
how will your character be developed by all of these experiences?
If by this time next year you are able to say:
I really did treat other people in the way that I like being treated;
I really did try as hard as I could when faced with challenges in work and in relationships;
I really did seize the opportunities presented by life
Then you will have made a positive contribution to our world and be able to feel great pride in all you have done.
Thank you.