As I write this, it’s the end of October; soon November will be on us again - Bonfire Night... Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day ...St. Andrew’s Day…and then, before we know it, it’ll be December and Christmas. It is me (surely a phrase that’s a sign of advancing years -but I'm saying nothing more!) Is it me, or does it come round quicker every year?

And it seems to get busier too, and ever more frantic: buy this, decorate that, send those, remember this, that and the next thing - small wonder that by the time Boxing Day arrives, we all heave a collective sight of relief. Hooray! We can get to relax a bit…

What a shame, if we are so busy being busy that we miss out on God’s amazing, astonishing, beyond-all-words-in-any-language, gift to us all. To do that - and if you do feel rushed, of course it’s not easy - we need to stop doing and just be.

Somebody said once that God made us as human beings, not human doings - and then they added that we've all but lost the ability to just “be”. How true. But I think that it’s something well worth cultivating. Even if it’s only for a few minutes in a day, if you can, try unwrapping, in your mind, that truly wonderful present God gives us - Himself.

And not - though He could have - as a powerful super human, breaking down all who stood in his way. Or - though He could have - as an avenging angel, using heavenly powers to force humans into obedience. But, as a tiny baby, vulnerable in the extreme, sharing all our humanity. Before He came to do things with us and for us, God came in Jesus, just to be with us all.

To end with, a little prayer from Christian Aid :