And so it IS Christmas

Up before seven and bed around two but there's nothing that can take away from the fact that it is indeed Christmas morning and even though the house is quiet and still (if you ignore Mrs Vicarage sorting out the first stages of today's Christmas Lunch that is), a far cry from the days when our children were little.

The church building has been given a final tidy and the burner (Frankincense) lit, it's warm (19 degrees) and the table is laid awaiting the first worshippers of the day and so, as i drink my tea and do daily office and fold service sheets (all six of them - powerpoint is the order of the day here) my mind turns to those people who will be experiencing the difficulties of a first Christmas without a loved one. That empty chair forlornly proclaiming the absence amongst the family to all who might see it.

And so I pray that God will touch all those who mourn and will soothe the pain of loss and bring comfort and cheer.

Then I think of those who are serving in our forces across the world. For their safety and for the families who will have an empty space because of their service. For them as they down yet another ration pack and patrol the streets, catch up on sleep and attend services and carry on life as life is whilst away. For those who will make calls home today to expectant and hopeful families and for those who won't have the chance.

I pray that they will kept safe and that those who have sent away their loved one to another place in pursuit of peace will find the peace of God in their activities today.

Next there are those who will be waking this morning to a life that is shattered by broken relationships. Some will be in their own home or in the home of a friend or family member, these are the fortunate ones, and others will find themselves in hostels, B&B or perhaps homeless.

For those who will not have a family to spend their day with, are not going to see their children and will find their Christmas solitary and hard-going.

I pray that God will touch them with His message of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.

For the families of those who are ill or suffering at this time, the parents of a young boy whose story I heard of last night who is ill in hospital from life-threatening head injuries, for those who have 'been sprung' for a couple of days to enjoy Christmas with family, for those who remain in hospital.

I pray for them that they will find within their situation an oasis of God's compassion and healing, a moment of peace and some joy amidst the difficulties that surround them.

And I pray for those who will be working today, the blue light services, medical personnel, utility workers and the so many others who will be in their workplace just like any other day that they might have a quiet day and a day where God's love and the magic of Christmas and its message touches them.

And for each and every one of us I pray that we will find some time and space to make Christ the reason for today and the source of peace, joy and delight.

Blessings