THINK of a place and a time. Let it be a place which is very special for you, and a let it be a wonderful memory which has remained with you ever since that time.

All of us have special times and places and we cherish these memories. For many people, such events are moments of insight, moments which meant that life would never be the same again. Sometimes, we might take time to recall, to enjoy again and to celebrate the wonder of that special place and time.

This is how faith sees Bethlehem. This was the time and this was the place when the world had a life-changing experience, a turning-point in reality. The birth of Jesus Christ and his life and ministry enabled all of us to envisage God in new ways and to say that God is love. The message of Christ brought a new vision of what this world can be like, the Kingdom of God, a world based on completely different values.

This is why Christmas is so deeply rooted in human consciousness. It has become part of our humanity, a common highpoint in our collective memory. When we celebrate Christmas, we experience again a little of that one ecstatic moment and we see more clearly that vision of the Kingdom, a world shaped by love.

Whatever your experience of Christmas, enjoy and share the wonder; because in this we can find the best of ourselves and of those around us.

Alvene and John Costello, Carver Uniting Church, Windermere