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This Christmas remember someone whom you have lost; someone who has been so much part of Christmas past. And let the loss and pain be comforted by the tender hands of Jesus, hands which bear on the palms the cruel marks of painful death. And let that comfort be for all bereaved people this Christmas. The comfort of him who is called Emmanuel: God with us

This Christmas sit by a hospital bed; as you sit you hear the children carol singers; their version of “Away in a Manger”. See the sick one beside you whisper the words. And let the comfort of Jesus who gave all his strength and love in the overcoming of disease and pain, be for that one, and for all sick people this Christmas. The comfort of him who is called Emmanuel: God with us

This Christmas look into the eyes of one suffering from depression. And see the deep, dark pain; or see the terrible emptiness. Let the comfort of Jesus, who was not understood by his family and whose friends walked away from him light a candle in the darkness for that one, and for all who live in depression this Christmas. The comfort of him who is called Emmanuel: God with us

This Christmas think of yourself as one with all Christian people all across the world. Some will sit at rich family tables, some have no tables and nothing to put on them. Some will be worshipping in full churches full of joyful spirit, and some will be huddled in despairing communities, conscious only of their decline. Let the comfort of Jesus, at whose birth the angels gave glory to God and at whose coming in power the heavenly hosts sing “Hallelujah” be for you and for all of them the true hope of Christmas. The comfort of him who is called Emmanuel: God with us