Dear Friends, 

Once again, this year has flown past, and by the time you read this, we will be into the season of Advent, and the preparations for Christmas will well and truly have begun. I am conscious that for many people, Christmas may well be difficult this year as the economic crisis has begun to bite. 

As I have been reflecting on that, it seems to me that perhaps this year, it is more important than ever for us to think about the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, I do mean the coming of the Christ child, but I also mean really thinking about the gifts that we are giving to people, perhaps gifts that give something of ourselves as well. I know that personally, the gifts that have meant the most to me and that I have treasured for many years have been those that people have made for me. Not only has the time and effort gone into that gift, but it is also the fact that someone knows me well enough to know how much I would appreciate the gift.

Two gifts stand out in my memory, one being a small knitted shawl made by my daughter-in-law, which I often wear to brighten my clothes up. The other is a wooden memory box made by my late son, which I have filled with postcards, reflections, Bibleverses and poetry.

During Covid, I had great fun making gifts for my family and friends. Rediscovering knitting meant that many were recipients of scarves, shawls and hats. And whilst I’ve exhausted that skill, these homemade gifts and the time I put into them were appreciated.

Giving the gift of memories, giving the gift of a small part of ourselves, is something that we can all do, and it is what God has done for us in the giving of His son, a gift that is freely given to each of us and that God longs for us to receive. The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son so that if any of us will believe in Him, we won’t perish, but we will have everlasting life in Heaven! That’s a giftthat can’t be beaten.

With my love and prayers for a truly blessed Christmas and New Year.

Rev Dawn x

For the full content, please download the December Newsletter for St Paul's and St Nick's