I get so caught up in the stuff of Christmas. I know what really matters about it – love, family, the nativity. I mean I really do believe in the first Christmas – that our world was forever changed when the son of God was born to us at Bethlehem. But I still get so caught up in the other aspects – the food, the visits, the presents – did we spend too much? Too little? How many packs of mince pies should we get? Why were Christmas TV programmes so good when I was young? (I mean Morecambe and Wise?? – yes I am that old…)

Will this year be better than last year?
Will it be as good as, at least?
Will they think that my gifts are inspired?
And will the host serve up a feast?
Will the kids sit and play when we ask them?
Will we get chance for a rest?
Will the TV be really worth watching -
or just mediocre at best?
Well, we've worked really hard, we deserve it -
we've earned a good break after all.
That's what it's about at Christmas time,
or else, why bother at all?

Or is there something else to consider?
The baby, born in a stall.
Not less of a gift, but more is on offer,
when he paid he gave it his all.
He came for the weary, the lonely,
he came for the dissatisfied.
He offered us life everlasting
when he came to the earth and he died.
That wasn't the end of the story -
God's son rose again from the grave.
Take a look one more time in the manger
at the baby who came here to save.