The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields invites us to consider how we can help others this Christmas.

WHEN was the first Christmas you can remember?

My first memory goes back to 1957 when I would have been three years old – the present? A large steam train engine! I can still remember the delight because I used to look out on to a railway line about a quarter of a mile from our living room window and loved watching the trains go by.

Then there was 1958 when I was promised that there would be a wee brother or sister – Callum didn’t appear until January 15 1959, three weeks late! What a disappointment that Christmas was!

I could go on. The Timex watch when I was seven, the bike when I was ten, our first Christmas as a married couple, our first Christmas as parents, my first Christmas in Cranhill, my first charge – all special memories, all special gifts in different ways. Now, the excitement for us is in seeing Christmas through the eyes of Oran, our first grandchild and maybe even Archie, if he decides to pop early into the world – all very special.

Then, I begin to realise that the real gifts of Christmas are all about people and not about ‘things’. The glory of this time of year is looking around and simply thanking God for all of those special people – gifts – who are in our lives.

Of course that takes us to the most special and remarkable gift – Jesus. What an unimaginable gift that the creator of this vast universe would give to us the gift of His Son! I still remember going to church the first Christmas after I had become a Christian. What a special moment for me it was to be in St George’s Tron that Watchnight Service and sing those songs of faith for the first time and really understand their meaning! The gift of all gifts, the Son of God, given for our salvation and eternal life.

We could speak about how Christmas has become over commercialised and robbed of its meaning but let us not allow ourselves to be drawn into that and instead speak about the real glory of Christmas. So, what is it that Jesus might want us to do and how might He want us to remember His birth? Let me suggest one or two possibilities since His birth was about self-giving.

Three Christmases ago I was given a wonderful gift by family, which was for me but was in fact for another! Let me explain. I told my children that I very much appreciated that they wanted to give me a gift, but that I truly had more than enough ‘things’. When I opened my gift that Christmas from them it was a winter survival box donated to refugees in Syria. You have no idea how truly good that gift in my name made me feel. The next year it was to help release someone caught up in modern slavery and the year after that a donation to the UN appeal for children – Iam really looking forward to this year’s gift! What might we do? Jesus asked us to love our neighbour and one another, after all, it was Love that came down at Christmas. Now, I know that because of all of the issues around the cost of living, there will be less available. However, think this Christmas how a bit of imagination might make a difference.

I have been privileged in the first part of my year as Moderator to visit many congregations labouring in some of the most socially deprived parts of Scotland, but what a difference they are making to so many who are genuinely living on the edge – through their food projects and other innovative ideas they are making a little go a long way and bringing many through the doors of their churches. How might they benefit from a gift to help them in their ministries?

"I begin to realise that the real gifts of Christmas are all about people and not about ‘things’."

I have also been spending a great deal of time with CrossReach – what an exceptional, faith-filled organisation this is and a credit to our Church and Jesus. Adult care services, addiction and recovery services, work with young and old and the most vulnerable in society and counselling services that are second to none in Scotland. Now there is an organisation that would benefit from an innovative Christmas gift – and here is a challenge to someone out there – buying a flat in order to help people in recovery!

Can I wish one and all a joy-filled Christmas and every blessing to everyone in the Church and CrossReach in this season of grace?

The Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields is Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2022/23 and is minister at Dunfermline: St Margaret’s.