大象传媒

Good morning.聽 These days of preparation for Christmas pass so quickly. Perhaps, like me, you already have a list of what has to be done today. Only three days to go!

My list is probably different from yours. I have sermons and meditations to prepare, groups of people to greet and bless, ceremonies to practice and still lots of letters to be written and, oh dear, the presents! But I don't have to worry too much about the shopping or the catering.

Yet, I remember those things so well. Have we got enough? How many are going to turn up? When are the shops be closed?

I also remember a lovely family who lived next door to us. Their Mum was fantastic and, at this time of the year, there was quite a trade over the back fence: have you got any sugar to spare?聽 We've just run out of bread!聽 Here, take this!

She was an angel, always with a helping hand and a cheerful smile, and not just at Christmas either. But that's what angels are for: to bring a bit of brightness and light into moments of gathering tensions.

There were angels at Bethlehem, too, up there, announcing great news of this Saviour's birth. There are angels in our crib, trying their best to draw attention to the arrival in our world of God's pure goodness, his eternal Son made flesh.

Lord, help us to be like angels to each other, bringing goodness and encouragement, especially when tensions arise and we get tetchy during the days of this week. Let us, in our turn, be heralds of your good news. Amen.