DON’T JUST SHOP TILL YOU DROP
 Now that was a shopping list! Partridges, pear trees, ducks, drummers, dancers... Imagine having to find all that! It's bad enough dealing with all the things on my list - the trainers in that exact colour; the “must have” game that's totally sold out - the list goes on and on.
 The ‘first Christ-mas’ (when Christ was born) must have been pretty hectic for Mary too. It was nearly time for her baby to be born when she and Joseph were ordered by the Romans to present themselves in the town of Joseph's birth – Bethlehem, the city of David. The prospect of several days journey with only a donkey for transport must have been daunting. But off they went.
There she was on a donkey, just days from giving birth, and travelling to an unknown town far from home. As predicted, “while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)
I wonder what she was thinking. Did she realise that she had just received the greatest gift ever given? Did she remember that an angel had said she would bear the Son of God? God sent reminders: angels sang in the skies, shepherds were awed by the baby, and wise men followed a star to find and worship the new “King”. This baby was indeed special - he was “a Saviour born to us… He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Every Christmas since then, we renew our thanks for that gift of our Saviour, who grew up and died for us – so that we might be forgiven for all the wrongs we do, and live more closely with each other and with God. This is the real gift of Christmas.
This month, why not give yourself a treat? Come and find that real gift. Put aside your lists for a while and come and join in one of our services of celebration. There is something for everyone: traditional carol services; family worship; nativity scenes - all at different times and days. So come and join us as we welcome the angels’ songs again.
God bless you all this Christmas!
ANNE WHITLAM
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