Christmas.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
I was looking at the presents under the giving tree at the shopping mall. Big presents, small presents all colourfully wrapped. Some with ribbons, some bows, all labelled for some special person. There was a sense of expectation that might go with the giving and the receiving as they are passed onto those in need. Hands reaching out to give and bless with a gift  this Christmas season.   Among all the gifts of Christmas lies one that you do not have to buy, or wrap in coloured paper, or tie a ribbon and bow on. Its called the gift of love and it came that first Christmas morning in the form of a tiny baby who was called Jesus. A lasting gift that can be given over and over again all year round . A gift that can save lives, bring comfort to the lonely and distressed, a gift of companionship and hope. In the trauma of Martin Place we are seeing that gift of love being expressed in a floral memorial, the presence of people who care, the presence of the special chaplains and those of our brothers and sisters of other faiths. There is a sense of oneness, of unity, of healing, of love. A sense that Jesus has come down, Emmanuel is with us. Let not the drama of the world take from us the wonderful gift we have been given, the gift of love. The gift we call Christmas.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

nativities of many countries.