As I write this, I’m sitting in a coffee shop in a local garden centre and beginning to think about writing some talks for our December Carol Services. It’s the first of December, I’ve just flicked through a depressing edition of the Times newspaper, with a creamy flat white, whilst being serenaded by Christmas Carols playing in the background. The CD is clearly set on repeat and is now probably on its fourth play through. Anyway, enough of my situation, how are you? 18 days until Christmas. 18 days to get that shopping done and find the right gift for the right person. When it comes to the Christmas dash, perhaps you love it, perhaps you dread it, perhaps you haven’t even thought about it and if so I’m sorry for bringing up the subject! Most of us like to give gifts, especially when they hit the mark and bring joy to someone.

But as I reflect on this annual shopping tradition, I like to spend a moment to think about the purpose behind giving and receiving gifts. The Bible reminds us that ‘every good and perfect gift comes from above’ (James 1:17) and in another place ‘God gives us all good things richly to enjoy’ (1 Timothy 6:17). If you can believe this, perhaps you may ask a follow up question: why?

The purpose of giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is to point to Jesus, the greatest gift ever given, and the Giver, God himself. As the Apostle John writes: ‘This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him’ (1 John 4:9). If you want to find out more about this wonderful gift, we’d love to meet you at one of our events over Christmas. You'd be very welcome. Right. Time to get back to the talk writing...but maybe another coffee and mince pie first!

Can I wish you a VERY happy and peaceful Christmas,

Mark Herbert
(Assistant Pastor at LCBC)