The event of the Incarnation, God coming to earth in human form, took place in a moment in time.

Obviously - because everything which happens in our universe happens in a moment of time.  Extraordinarily - because we usually think of God’s being outside time, and yet, supremely, in the birth of Jesus Christ, he is entering time and becoming a part of the material and physical world which we inhabit.

God comes to earth, in a particular time and place, and with a particular mission - to bring us into a new relationship with him; in other words, for our salvation.

As we approach Christmas, we may find that our moments in time become a bit stretched - we might be preparing to see family and friends, sending cards, buying and wrapping presents, thinking about Christmas dinners, preparing for all those who will come to worship with us.

Or, we might find that we don’t have too much extra to do, or we are so organised that it is all done already.

Whichever way we are, we need to make sure that within Advent and Christmas we find the moments of time we need to reflect on this extraordinary gift of the Incarnation.  We need, just as a child re-discovers the delight of Christmas each year, to learn afresh what God has done in sending Jesus into the world, to allow ourselves the space to marvel again at his love and his reaching out to us.

And so, in our Advent and Christmas programme, there are special services, meditations, times to reflect, as well as times to celebrate.

Do have a look at the Advent and Christmas pullout section of the Magazine - it will guide you through the various events of the next few weeks.

And do have a marvellous Christmas, making the most of all the opportunities it brings for giving and receiving, from others and from God.