Dear Friends,

Christmas is coming! That is what the shops have been saying with their decorations up and adverts inviting us to buy those presents for family and friends. Perhaps you are one of those people who are very good at picking out the perfect gifts for people. Or maybe you are like me and struggle to decide on what is the right gift to buy.

Choosing the right gift can be difficult at times because we may be uncertain whether the person will like it. I’m sure at times we’ve received presents that we didn’t like and also ones that we liked and have treasured for years. Choosing the right gift can also be difficult if we cannot really afford to buy it. That makes it amazing to find that the perfect gift does not cost us even a penny and yet it is so perfect that once a person realizes its value they will come to treasure this gift forever.

The perfect gift is what Christmas is really about. An angel once announced it to a group of shepherds in a field almost 2,000 years ago, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

The perfect gift is God giving us His Son and the invitation to know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. And when we realize just how much God loves us all, this is a gift that to all who accept they will treasure forever.

May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Paul Wood
Captain