Mark, the Bishop of Middleton, recently recalled when preaching in Manchester Cathedral how his mother always insisted that he send out his “thank you” cards at the earliest opportunity.  To receive a gift has always attached to it the duty of thanks.

Many parents, I hope, will themselves insist that their offspring say their own “thank yous” for gifts received as soon as the Christmas festivities are over.  Not only is it good manners, it is also a reflection of what the giving of those presents has actually meant to us.  To offer no thanks whatsoever would be to imply that we were not fussed as to whether or not that gift was actually made in the first place.

As the headline of this short article clearly states, the greatest present that we could ever receive is God’s gift of the world’s Saviour at Christmas, Jesus Christ himself.  A couple of years ago I used a little book by another bishop, Stephen Cottrell, about how to make Advent and Christmas a bit different.  Throughout December, as a sort of Advent calendar, he encourages us to stop and think why we make all this fuss at Christmas.  Some practical tips are suggested as to how we might receive the Christmas story – even at one point suggesting that with all those extra lights ablaze we might even consider reducing our carbon footprint!

However, it was the page reserved for Christmas Day itself which really made me think.  Especially when the good bishop suggested we might consider building one or two little extras into Christmas Day this year.  On the surface they might appear to be only minor additions.  But begin to ask the reason why and the truth behind God’s greatest gift of all at Christmas – JESUS himself – begins to make a deeper impression on us.  For instance, consider saying a prayer before you eat as you “give thanks” for what you have received.  Again, consider raising your glass and toasting God himself for JESUS - the greatest gift at Christmas.

Perhaps too, my friends, you might consider visiting God’s house once again this Christmas and sharing in one of your Church’s lovely Christmas celebrations, in genuine thanks to God for all that his wonderful gift of JESUS continues to mean for you.  May the joy, the peace, and the thankfulness at the heart of the Christmas story be truly at the heart of your own celebrations this year.

Roger.