Sleigh bells ring!  Cinnamon and cloves! The sounds and smells of Christmas.  For several weeks now the shops have been selling Christmas to us.  We’ve been bombarded with advertisements,  trying to get us to buy the latest piece of technology or the most perfect piece of jewellery – whatever in fact will make up the ‘ideal Christmas gift’.  So the pressure is being piled high, from all corners.
But this so called festive season is all about the opposite. It should be about slowing down, reflecting and enjoying the anticipated return of Jesus, our Saviour. It is about readying ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus into our lives and to share that same gift with others.

The gift of Advent is for all of us, the opportunity to open our minds and hearts to God. It is a gift of opportunity to make space for him in our lives.  Once we have accepted this great gift then our lives are open to really celebrating Christmas with true inner peace and joy.

The gift of Christmas is of course, Jesus Christ himself.  This is THE greatest gift and it is truly the gift of love.  It is a gift given to the point of overflowing and given freely.  Like the advertisements around us – we are bombarded with it from God.  It is THE ideal gift and it doesn’t cost us a penny.  Have a blessed Advent and a truly happy and joyful Christmas.