"Our greatest gift is the Christ Child, a gift that lasts forever."- A Reflection
Rev'd Lisa Spratt, who was ordained a priest earlier this year and serves in Llynfi and Upper Afan Valley Ministry Area, reflects on the fact that it's still Christmas.
May I wish you all a very happy & blessed Christmas.
I hope you have all enjoyed your festivities leading up to and during Christmas Day . The anticipation, preparation, waiting and watching of advent has finally finished and it’s finally Christmas – the big day!
So …what was your favourite gift this year? Was it a total surprise or was it something you were expecting? Is it one of those gifts that you put in a draw until it’s needed or sometimes never used?
Now that Christmas Day is past and we are heading towards the new year, how do you feel? Are you waiting in eagerness to take all the decorations down and have the house back to normal or are you going to miss the decorations and the lights?
In January, the countdown to Christmas begins once more, Easter egg and summer holiday adverts are on our televisions once again.
As Christians we know that we have been given the greatest gift of all … not a box of chocolates that soon vanish or a pair of slippers that wear out. Our greatest gift is the Christ Child, a gift that lasts forever. It doesn’t go in a draw and is forgotten about, it doesn’t go out of date or fashion, the Christ Child lives continuously in our hearts. Christ’s love and light shone that first Christmas Day and continues to shine bright in so many people around the world.
The shepherd’s heard news of this great gift and hurried to see him as told in Luke 2: 8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
The shepherds were eager to see this special gift from God and they told people about this Good News. From that very first day Jesus has been our saviour.
Jesus’ new commandment (John 13: 34-35) was to ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. We can all follow this commandment and shine our light around our communities by showing love, peace, fellowship and kindness.
Jesus isn’t just for Christmas, he is for us always and unconditionally if we let him into our hearts and let his light shine within us.
Wishing you all a very happy and blessed 2026.