ALL of us remember special times and places in our lives. We hold in our memories moments when we were suddenly aware of the power of love, or the astonishing beauty of the world, or the overwhelming importance of someone in our lives. These moments are recalled again and again, and they make a particular date and a particular place precious to us.

This is how faith sees Bethlehem. This is the point at which the world changed forever. This is when and where a child was born, who by his teaching and ministry would enable the world to know that God is love and to recognise that love in human form. This is why we can celebrate Christmas every year of our lives with such wonder, and with such a heightened awareness of the love of those close to us.

We are touched by this in different ways. For some, Christmas is tinged by the sadness of remembering those who are no longer here to share the joy. For many, the spirituality goes almost unrecognised amid the frenzy of eating and drinking and opening presents. Yet, the sense that this is a special time is still there; and the love of God continues to be expressed through the care, the generosity, the togetherness and the memories that we experience at Christmas.

So let this Christmas be a blessing. Let it be a celebration of all that is good in our lives; and let it bring the promise of renewed hope for the future.

John and Alvene Costello, Carver Uniting Church, Windermere