The Christmas rush is past - the straining towards the event has transformed into the ease of excess - too much food, too much drink. Perhaps we have eased off the waist bands, stretched out on the sofa for an afternoon nap and gathered round the TV to watch Dr Who. The panic has subsided as all the gifts are issued and all are safely gathered in. By now the pile of ripped wrapped will be filling blue recycling bins all over the country and a good amount of gifts will be in the cupboard to be recycled next year to someone else. Has it been worth it? The white Christmas has been nice, but there were a lot of people complaining that it was interfering with their arrangements, shopping and parties – after all that is what Christmas is about isn’t it – perhaps they should start a campaign to have it shifted to the middle of July. I wonder if you have sat down and actually counted the number of programmes that actually include the message of Christmas – the real one – not the sentimental Santa rubbish. Over the years we have relegated the actual Christmas message into the cupboard to make room for the tree and presents. We get sucked into the hype and nice safe comfortable message of the “Season” whatever that means. My hope it that something of the Christian message has stayed with you and will continue to be with you as the decorations are put away for another year and will continue through the time of the credit card bills hitting the floor that you will know Christ and be known by him and his peace be with you.