December always seems to be the busiest month of the year.
It is also one of the darkest months. But most of the darkness
can be dispelled by thoughts of what Christmas really means.
The birthday of one who came to be the light of the world.
The practical preparations for this event seem to begin earlier each year.
But I ask myself sometimes whether there is much spiritual preparation.
Do we stop sometimes in our activities to be thankful for the coming of
Jesus? For all it meant, and means and will mean! Jesus was born at a
time when there was very similar strife to that which we have today. Yet
the Bethlehem baby became the teacher who taught the way of peace.
He spoke of feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners, healing the sick, caring
for widows and fatherless. And his whole life was one of selfless service.
And he left us his ‘in-as-much’ message. “In as much as” we serve others
in these ways we are truly serving him. Can we light up this dull December
by pondering upon these truths in a deeper way? And as we ourselves find
deeper faith, so we shall be ready to re-dedicate ourselves to the service of
those around us who are in need. This, I’m convinced, is the way to
personal freedom. To be set free from all fretting self-concern, to care for
others. To see Jesus in them. The light and hope of the world.

Lord soon we will celebrate your birth in Bethlehem in a cattle shed,
Forgive us that still today children are born in poverty,
Forgive us that so many this Christmas will be cold and lonely.
We pray for: Homeless people seeking shelter, unemployed
people wanting work, hungry people needing food, parents
crying for their children.

Give us the spirit of compassion so that all will have the opportunity
for a full and fulfilling life.

This is an extract from a Book entitled ‘Hello – This is message”