The minister writes… from our December 25/January 26 newsletter
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Gifts, gratitude and glory to God
Dear friends,
If I were to ask you about the greatest gift you’ve ever received at Christmas, I imagine many of you would point to God’s gift of his Son – the Christ-child, Immanuel, God-with-us. And you would be right. But I wonder whether you’ve ever thought about how you might be a gift to others?
This Advent, the Methodist Church invites us to explore the theme “Gifted” – and one of the questions it raises is how we can be a blessing to our families, our churches, and our communities. It doesn’t require grand gestures: a listening ear, a simple message, a moment spent with someone lonely or hurting. Small kindnesses, offered with God’s love, make the world better because you are in it.
I’ve also been struck recently by the power of gratitude – of pausing each day to notice and give thanks for the blessings we might otherwise overlook. Even on difficult days, there is usually some glimmer of grace, and as we nurture this “attitude of gratitude,” we often discover a deeper contentment and peace.
As we approach Christmas, you may find much to be thankful for… or perhaps this season is painful because someone you love is no longer here. Remember that the first Christmas was not cosy or comfortable. It was poor, stark, and frightening – and yet the Light of the world was born into the darkness to dispel it. While most of the world never noticed, a handful of shepherds saw the glory of heaven break open the night and heard the song of a thousand angels fill the air.
In this Advent and Christmas season, I pray you may know the gentle presence of the Holy Child, and that you step into 2026 with the angels’ song in your hearts:
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.”
With every blessing,
Sharon