Advent Reflection: 17th December

Every day in Advent 2016 we will be sharing short reflections from authors, Christian charities and Eden team members.

Christmas is by far my very favourite time of year…but it’s also the busiest!

Whether you’re single, married, family or not, this is without doubt the one time of year when being social is a fundamental requirement. Each weekend is quickly snapped up with seeing friends, catching up before Christmas, giving gifts and potentially lengthy car journeys and or train delays depending on your choice of transport. Then you’ve got meals and Christmas ‘dos’, social meet ups and evening events. It just. doesn’t. stop.

But I’m not really sure that Christmas was ever designed for so much activity. In fact, one of the reasons I really love Christmas is the stopping. A chance to reflect on what it’s really all about. That tiny baby in a feeding trough, the tiny baby who was destined to be the Saviour of the World.

Another reason I love Christmas is getting to sing the carols. Last night I was at my church’s carol service - it was lovely, the church was full, the decs were all up including the giant Christmas tree and the mood was one of joy. As we began to sing the carols together I looked around at the diversity of people who had come along, Students, elderly, families. All draw together to sing, to be, and to come back to the tiny baby. I don’t know what’s going on in the lives of everyone sat in the pews last night but I hope, and I pray that they were touched with the wonder and hope of the Good News.

This Christmas can I encourage you in amidst the busyness, the never-ending turkey and wrapping paper to take a moment to stop and think about the tiny baby. I don’t think I can summarise any better than one of my favourite carols.

“He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.”

Once in Royal David’s City - Mrs. C.F. Alexander

Anna Bunn, Procurement and Merchandising Manager at Eden. Resident of Chester, Lover of bad reality TV and David Attenborough and keen foodie (eating rather than cooking!)