Jacq on ... 

Christmas
When I think about Christmas I think about the first one when GOD came to earth as baby Jesus, the SON of GOD. I believe this is the most important event in history.
During this morning’s Zoom service Rev Linda said, ”If ever there was a year we needed Advent, this is it!” (2020). Rev Pam Roberts also said, “Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby, but also as Saviour of the World”.
Of course we can read in Isaiah and other prophets in the Old Testament, that 700 years before they knew this would happen. Yet not all recognised this miracle was occurring. So each year we can celebrate the birth of Christ and at Easter we remember his amazing sacrifice on the cross for us.
Now all this may seem a long time ago, but in the Psalms it says, ‘For you a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours’. (Psalm 90 v4 – New Living translation).
So, as the physicists would confirm, depending on where you look from in space, Jesus was here a couple days ago and will come again in glory, ‘in couple of days’.
Lately in our bible readings we have been told to be prepared for this. This brings me to the point that at Christmas I always think of the second coming of our Saviour. My Mother always made Christmas magic for me. Even though she had little money, after the war, I can recall her making dolls furniture out of matchboxes and such like. So I have always believed in the spirit of Christmas.
Although this has been a very difficult year, our compensations have not only been the love of God but also in the technology that has enabled us to talk to our families as well as attend church services on Zoom. We also have many bible studies on Zoom and at present there are advent studies (details on website).
Let us light a candle and remember that this is the season of goodwill as we sing carols on our own doorsteps and invite our neighbours to join us; as we open our Christmas gifts and eat some wonderful Christmas food ... but best of all is ‘GOD with us’ - John Wesley.