By Rev Jonathan Fleming

Minister of Cumbrae linked with Largs: St John’s Church of Scotland

Christmas Eve is fast approaching! Our advent calendars, and our wallets or purses are feeling a lot lighter and the list of things to do is filling quickly!?Advent candles continue to be lit in churches across the globe with the candle of Love being lit on Christmas Eve with the carol ‘Love came down at Christmas’ being sung or alluded to.

I do not know about you, but I am always inspired by the loving actions of people at Christmas time, be it local campaigns like the Reverse Advent Calendar organised by Largs Primary School in aid of Largs Foodbank, or nationally, with events like the recent ‘Sleep in the Park’ in Edinburgh, where 8000 people spent the night in Princes Street Gardens and raised £3.6 million to work towards eradicating homelessness once and for all.

For many, Christmas is synonymous with giving. Christians believe that God gave the world a big present about 2000 years ago - Jesus! One of the most famous Bible verses, John 3:16, says: 'God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not be lost but have eternal life.’

As many of us prepare for a joyful day on December 25th, may we take time to remember those for whom Christmas is a dark time; may the day come that we will not need foodbanks and homeless shelters and all will see light at the end of the tunnel…

In the meantime, let us continue to show our love for our fellow companions on this journey we call life as I close with these well-known words from one of my favourite carols: “What can I give Him,?Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give Him - Give my heart”?On behalf of the congregations of Cumbrae and Largs: St John’s and my friends in Largs Churches Together, allow me to wish you all every blessing this Christmas!