by Billy Clayton, St Barnabas Parish Church, Thwaites Brow

AT last we can say "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat".

The four weeks of Advent began last Sunday and Christians everywhere turned their thoughts to the great gift of God's Son, whose coming to earth will be remembered on Christmas Day. Jesus Christ came to earth to show us the way to live and in order that our past failings could be forgiven and our lives turned in a Godly direction.

Christmas is the beginning of that process and we need to remember the message of the angel, "this day is born a saviour who is Christ the Lord".

Yes, we have gifts to buy, people to visit, parties to attend, but somewhere there must be a space, a time to remember the child born in a manger in the reign of Herod the King. He was an historical person, living in a particular place and we number our years as counted from when he was born.

Are we ready to welcome him into our lives, or will we use the date of his birth as an excuse for over indulgence? We have become quite expert at keeping days but forgetting why! We only have to think of Hallowe'en and how it has become an event for fireworks and 'trick or treat'. What have witches and ghouls to do with All Saints Eve (All hallows)? If an earlier festival is being observed, why call it by the wrong name?

In preparation for Christmas, the Church spends four weeks thinking of Jesus coming to us at three particular times. The first coming as a child. The last, coming in glory to judge the earth. In between there is the very important coming of Jesus into our hearts and minds. We have the season of Advent to prepare our hearts to receive him, to accept him as friend and Saviour. Use your time wisely.