Why Christmas is as good as a chilled lager

Which movie best captures the essence of Advent and the spirit of Christmas? Miracle on 34th Street? It’s a Wonderful Life? White Christmas? Well here is my suggestion: Ice Cold in Alex. Let me explain.

Released in 1958, the film is set amid the chaos of the North Africa campaign during the early part of the Second World War. It stars a young John Mills as the drink-soaked, battle-fatigued Captain Anson.

Stranded behind German lines following the siege of Tobruk, Anson is forced to drive across the desert in an Austin ambulance negotiating numerous deadly hazards as he travels. What sustains him throughout? The promise of a chilled beer upon arrival in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Hence the rather curious title of the film.

Well it is that same sense of expectation that the Christian soul should be experiencing as we approach the great solemnity of Christmas.

Audemus expectare. We dare to hope. It is that close or, rather, he is that close. Jesus Christ. The mercy of God come down to Earth.

Finally, upon arrival in Alexandria, Captain Anson lingers over his longed-for lager, an ice-cold Carlsberg. He quaffs it in one. He places the empty glass on the bar. “Worth waiting for,” he sighs.

Those three little words sum up the essence of Advent and the spirit of Christmas: Worth waiting for! May you and your family have a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.

With every blessing,

Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh