It’s Christmas Eve and I’m sitting on the couch having tea and eating chocolate. Everything is done; presents are wrapped, the leg of lamb is marinating nicely,  the table has been set in preparation for tomorrow and my outfit has been selected for church. So I sit here, chilling out before I head up to church for our Reflections service, pondering life since last Christmas. There is a lot to ponder.

Life has been challenging and beautiful and just plain interesting since last Christmas. Life has taken some interesting turns: up, down, sideways, through underground tunnels. There has been new memories made, some good and some not so good. There has been prayers answered and some prayers still unanswered. But with all that’s gone on, I can honestly say that I have a content heart this Christmas. My heart is at peace. My soul is thankful. Life will always have it’s blah moments, but Christmas is always a wonderful reminder that an amazing gift was given to the world and because of that gift, there is HOPE. And where there is hope, there is life.

It’s a time to give thanks, a time to forgive others and yourself, and a time to enjoy the true treasures in life: family and friends and love. But above all, love. The love of the Father that sent His Son, and the love of the Saviour who gave up His life. The love of family and friends. The love for your neighbour. Christmas is a time of love and not judgement or condemnation of people. Live and let live. It’s about forgiveness and grace. It’s about peace. And if you’re life is a struggle at the moment, remember that you are loved and you are worthy and if there is no one in your world to tell you that, email me and let me tell you how important and valuable you are.

A lot of people make wishes at Christmas and here is my wish for anyone reading this: I pray that you know how amazing and vaulable you are. I pray you are surrounded by love and peace and happiness and good food. I pray that you recognise your priceless worth and know that you are loved so deeply by a Heavenly Father.

To my family and friends reading this: THANK YOU for your love, support, guidance, correction, laughter and countless coffees. I love you to the moon and back times infinity.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless. xx