Decisions, decisions

  How do you decide on which gifts to give at Christmas?  As it becomes increasingly difficult to decide, I am grateful for the many catalogues that have fallen through our letterbox in recent weeks - helping me to make my choices.

  These catalogues include things that I had never thought of, like socks in your old school or regimental colours, bottle openers which emit a cheering noise when used but, above all, the Fortnum and Mason's Hamper at £20,000, delivered in Wicker Baskets in a horse-drawn van.

  These options are so enticing - and endless - that I don't know where to turn!

  Thankfully, when God looked and thought about what to give the world, he had no such dilemma.  He did not need to search through a catalogue for a bright idea.

  He could see that the best gift that he could possibly give to everyone was the gift of his Son Jesus Christ, to take his light and love into the world.

  He saw that the world needed to be shown how to love, so he gave us Jesus, the King of Love, to show us how to love one another and to love the needy.

  He saw that the world needed to be shown how to live in ways that would be pleasing to him and which would be fulfiling for each person, so he gave us Jesus, who is the way and the truth and life.

  He saw that the world needed to be comforted and cared for. It needed to know his love, so he gave us Jesus, the good shepherd, to guide us and care for us.

  He saw that the world needed to be put back in touch with himself, not just for a few moments but for all eternity, so he gave us Jesus, his only son, so that whoever trusts and believes in him ‘will not perish but have eternal life’.

  Christmas is a time for giving, and the most important gift for us all is the gift of God's love, care, peace and compassion - all wrapped up in the form of a baby, born to be the Saviour: Jesus Christ.

Thanks God!  Happy Christmas everyone!

by Graham Clarke.