You must know the feeling!  You really want something but you just can’t have it.  It’s out of stock in the shops and on-line.  Perhaps the cost is too much, and of course these days, a certain virus makes having it downright dangerous!

In Church we’re not allowed to sing together.  Not much perhaps for many people however actually that’s quite a big thing for us.  The joy and benefits of choirs and corporate singing have been much in the news recently, I keep wondering just where Gareth Malone will pop up next!  But the Church has known about this for years and yet now we can’t have it, we can’t sing together.

When we can’t have what we want it changes us.  Some become angry and others sad, some become more creative others sadly destructive.  How will this play out this Christmas?  We are unlikely to have the Christmas we are used to, we may not have the usual presents and food, the fun with the family or the office party.  Interestingly some creative types have already started to put up their decorations.  We need the light early this year it seems!  The Light that came into the world 2000 years ago in Bethlehem is the real meaning of Christmas, and anyone can have that and you can have it right now.

Perhaps this year when some of the usual things are stripped away you will consider the real meaning of Christmas.  You can have that, and no-one can stop you having it.  The real question is ‘do you want it’?  Do you want the real meaning of Christmas or are you happy with the all the fun and frivolity?  Doesn’t that all disappear into wheelie bins soon after New Year?

Pick up a Bible and read about the Lord Jesus, the greatest gift ever given (Look up Matthew’s gospel for the Wise Men, or Luke’s for the Shepherds).  And look us up on our YouTube channel we will be studying Matthew’s account all through Advent and Christmas this year.

If the lockdown is lifted we will open the church building again but until then we remain online.  It has never been easier to see for yourself what it means to be part of a church.  You can take part in a Sunday worship service while sat in your favourite armchair at home, and yes we would love to hear from you and know that you are joining us but that really is up to you.  We continue to pray for all in the communities of Tendring and Baburgh and would love to pray for you (we have a prayer line – 07716 866007) and are happy to help.  We are involved with modern day “almsgiving” via local COVID help groups and other charities but can help you directly, too, if you need us.  (Pastor Gaius – 01206 393745, 07732 115107, )