I’m a bit of a Scrooge at this time of year, all the relatives ask me what I want for Christmas, and I have to think what I could buy the family for Christmas… friends are easy, I just don’t bother! So this year I decided I didn’t really need or want anything, so I just asked for books (on the basis that they last a lifetime) or gift vouchers (on the basis that I could get things I might need at a later date).

But at this time I am more concious than ever of my greatest need is a Saviour. Ever since Genesis 3 that’s been my greatest need, ever since I was conscious of my actions it’s been my greatest need. Sometimes I just have to cry out Paul’s words of struggle in Romans 7, ending of course with hope - “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Throughout the Bible God’s people are longing, waiting for a saviour, and what a joy Christmas is to celebrate the coming of the Saviour… Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”