Looking around our world we see

• disturbances caused by Wikileaks, and the many questions around freedom of information versus whose security is compromised by revealing this same information.
• Extremes of weather:   heavy snow in many parts of UK with so many disruptions, inconveniences and dangers
• The poorest, most vulnerable sections of our society suffering from the current austerity drive, targeted with cuts to their income, job losses, or bewildering changes as to how benefits will be delivered, while the perpetrators of the recession seem to be getting off scot free!
• Violence in demonstrations against some of the proposed changes.

It wasnt so different at the time that Jesus was born.   The Gospel tells us that: Marys unexpected pregnancy caused problems for Joseph, and undoubtedly for others in the tight-knit community in which she lived. The country was in the grip of an oppressive regime that forced everyone to travel for a census at the worst time of the year. There was no room in the inn for this poor family from Nazareth, and Jesus was born in a stable amongst the animals.  Perhaps all summed up in the words of In the bleak mid-winter&& which portrays the poverty surrounding Jesus birth but also emphasises the truth of Christmas, which is EMMANUEL. GOD IS WITH US

May we open our eyes and our hearts to the presence of God within and amongst us, now at Christmas and in the year to come.