We can’t celebrate Christmas as we usually would this year. No packed carol services followed by warm mince pies; no cute 4 year olds dressed as Mary and Joseph.

But Christmas is not about looking for God in carols and candlelit services. Christmas is about God coming to look for us, wherever we are.

You may spend Christmas alone, or with only 1 or 2 others. You may be in hospital. You may be a key worker, working yet another long, tiring shift. Wherever you are, Jesus is.

John 1:14 says, ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.’

That’s what Christmas is about: the Word, Jesus, becoming a human being, and being born on our messy, far-from-ideal earth.

So whatever your Christmas looks like this year, remember that Jesus comes to you, full of love and forgiveness and strength.

As the words of the carol say, ‘Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.’

Happy Christmas