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I start this blog with the image of the first Nativity. A cold damp, dark, perhaps smelly, cattle shed. Why did God choose to have His sons birth is such a dreary place. Well, maybe the reason is a simple as the surroundings in which the birth took place. Nothing more than a simple family all together in one place; a scene for generations to come to focus on. The importance of family all together in one place. This year has been so difficult and strange; a time when families have not been able to gather together as they would always do. Many have perhaps utilised social media to connect, used the good old faithful; the telephone to call in on each other. Whatever way we have found to communicate with those we love, it has brought joy to our hearts: joy which the birth of Jesus brought to this world.
Returning to the damp, smelly, cold stable reminds us of the good fortunes we all have even amidst this awful pandemic. We have each other!! So many of our brothers and sisters around the world don’t even have the shelter of a stable. So many don’t have resources to get by; but everyone has love in their hearts, light shining into their lives. Christ our Lord brings this to us not matter what our circumstances are - just as he did those millennia ago.
This Christmas, let us pray that we too continue to feel His love, His Light, His peace and His Joy in our lives afresh. And may we too show others the simple ness of Christmas that gives so much.