Will you lend a hand this Christmas?

Well Advent is now upon us and, like me, I expect that most of you are happily munching through your Advent calendar chocolates.

The Christmas season will be very difficult for many people, particularly those who have had a difficult year and find themselves under a cloud; among them folk who find themselves lonely, bereaved, depressed and sick. In these situations it's very difficult to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Poet Ann Weems has written this:
Some of us walk into Advent tethered to our unresolved yesterdays,
the pain still stabbing,
the hurt still throbbing.
It's not that we don't know better;
it's just that we can't stand up anymore by ourselves.
On the way to Bethlehem will you give us a hand?

Christians are called to help people when they find themselves in these situations. We can help in practical ways, we can listen and we can pray for God's help. Only God can heal the deep wounds of the heart but we can lend a hand. Will you lend a hand this Christmas?

Perhaps you find yourself in need of a hand - please contact me and I will do all I can to help.