St Johns with St Barnabas

I am tempted to say, here we go again, Christmas is coming, in case you hadn’t noticed the general air of festivity that pervades even the most mundane of shops at this time of the year! I have a friend at our church who organises a Christmas tree festival, and I can assure you Christmas has been on the top of our agenda for the last three months. But I have also noted with some concern how difficult it can be to find cards with a nativity theme, so much so, that I now find myself looking for them everywhere I go.

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This reminds me a little of how elusive God can sometimes be in my life. How everything else cries out for attention, and I fail to hear His voice. But the miracle of Christmas is EMMANUEL - GOD IS WITH US.

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Emmanuel embodies the miracle of Christmas. In Jesus, God didn’t remain aloof: he entered our world, sharing in our humanity, our joys, our struggles, and even our pain. In Jesus, God walked among us, showing us his love in the most personal way.

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The arrival of Jesus as GOD WITH US means that we are not alone, no matter what we face. His presence is a source of hope, peace and comfort, especially in difficult times.

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We are called both as a Christian community, and as individuals to share God’s love with those around us. That might be through a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or through an act of service. Each small act is a way of bringing GOD WITH US into the lives of others.

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Amid the hustle and bustle, let’s remember that Jesus came to bring peace - not only to the world but to our hearts. Christmas is an invitation to remember that we are deeply loved, understood and never alone. This Christmas, may our hearts be full of the true meaning of EMMANUEL, shining with the light of God’s love in a world that needs it more and more.

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Wishing you all a joy-filled and peaceful Christmas.