THE weeks leading up to Christmas is a preparation for something special.

Advent means to prepare or a period of preparation. Looking at people’s faces, all I see is stress.

So much to do and so little time. Must do this and so on.

The birth of Jesus had to be in the right place. It was difficult to find somewhere that was safe.

Christmas is that time when most families get together and enjoy, for some of the festive period, moments that matter. But of course Christmas is not always like that.

I am reminded of the films at Christmas, the ever so popular “A Wonderful Life”, where the priorities of life become all so evident, but it’s engulfed in crisis.

For so many there is the bleak prospect of ‘just another day’. Loneliness, hunger and homelessness. The fibres of life are torn. Yet we are encouraged by the charity shown in an act of faith.

Charity and humility towards others who see in themselves little to attract let alone deserving of gifts.

The baby Jesus lying in the crib, in a lowly cattle shed was surrounded by those who wanted to be there and needed to know the child who was born to Mary was so special. It was the Messiah.

Christmas is such a special time but sometimes we miss the point.

It is about people, our family and friends but also those who have no one to care.

The birth of Jesus is so often sidelined as we concentrate on the things that cause unnecessary stress.

The pressure is on gifts, rather than to focus on the gift. Our gift is to one another.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe