Thought for the Week

I wonder how many people will stop and read this thought for the week.

The four weeks leading to Christmas have become, for many of us, the busiest of our whole year.

The list of things to do never seems to get any shorter and the need and desire for perfection causes much stress, especially amongst the adults.

The children, however, have a much better experience; they are excited and expectant, counting down the days until Christmas, to holidays and presents and time with family and friends.

The holidays around Christmas have become an important time for families to come together. This can mean long arduous journeys, sometimes at great expense for many people.

The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph were forced to travel to Bethlehem, even though Mary was heavily pregnant and it also tells us that soon after the birth, Mary and Joseph had to flee for their lives with their newborn son to Egypt.

As we prepare to travel or to receive guests, may we take a moment out of our busy schedules to remember the people who have no choice but to leave their homes, carrying their precious belongings and not knowing where they are going or if they will receive a welcome when they get there.

As Christians prepare once more to celebrate the birth of God's son, may we be reminded that every child around the world is a beloved child of God and that we all have a responsibility to care for each and every one of them.

Reverend Lyn Peden, Church of Scotland, Skipness linked with Tarbert

Loch Fyne and Kilberry.