Christmas gift like no other

None of us can deny that events in history can be literally life-changing. The current Covid-19 air bliadhna a’ dèiligeadh ris an tinneas agus cuideachd a’ deasachadh airson suidheachadh a dh’fhaodadh a bhith againn ma thig Breatann às an Roinn Eòrpa gun aonta malairt, a thug e trì latha de dheasbad mus deach aontachadh sgrùdadh a chur air dòigh dha na dràibhearan.

Tha Ministear a’ Chòmhdhail ag aideachadh gun toir iad ’s dòcha suas ri trì latha a’ sgrùdadh agus a’ gluasad trì mìle làraidh agus bhanaichean a tha glaiste ann an Dòbhair, ach tha labhraiche bho ghnìomhachas a’ chòmhdhail ag ràdh gum bheil an àireamh a tha glaiste nas fhaisge air deich mìle! Gun iomradh air a’ chruadal aig an luchd-siubhail sin glaiste nan carbadan gun bhiadh neo goireasan ionnlaid na eile, agus nach fhaigh mòran aca a-nise dhachaigh airson na Nollaige, tha iomadh gnìomhachas beag an cunnart a dhol à bith leis nach eil bathair luachmhor dol a ruigheachd a cheann-uidhe! Buille eile bhon choròna-bhìoras, agus tha mòran de na buidhnean beaga sin ann an Alba, ach ’s e an tàmailt gun robh cothrom agus còir an dàil seo a sheachnadh.

Stiùireadh màirnealach luideach bho riaghaltas Lunnainn a tha air cosnaidhean mhòran eile a chur an cunnart! Ma tha nàire orra bidh iadsan cuideachd toilichte 2020 fhaicinn seachad!

Most will be glad to say farewell to 2020, surely not least those in government who wasted three days before taking action to enable traffic to flow from Dover, a delay which has put some SMEs in serious jeopardy. Coronavirus can only be partly to blame for any job losses!

pandemic is undoubtedly one of the most poignant and significant crises this world has ever known. Yet, while 2020 has been a difficult year, two words will fall from the lips of many people across the world this week: Merry Christmas.

The greatest event in history will again be remembered – the coming of Jesus Christ.

When we exchange gifts there’s a love that motivates the action, but when we examine the love of God, it was unmerited, undeserved and unequalled. God offers us salvation today through faith in His Son, Jesus, when we repent and believe the gospel.

We sincerely wish every reader, near and far, a very happy holiday and a blessed new year.

Donald J Morrison, Inverness.