Hanningfield Green 

Lawshall 

Bury St Edmunds 

Suffolk 

IP29 4QD 

Just A Thought

The Only Gift That Lasts forever “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6 v 23)

At this time of year many people enjoy being able to give and receive gifts. But how many of us remember what we gave and received last Christmas? And a few weeks after this coming Christmas, we will probably also have forgotten about the gifts we received.

Christmas is not really about gifts we give or receive; it’s about the one special gift that alone can give us a personal relationship with God. When Jesus came to this earth the announcement was made of, “good tidings of great joy which is for everyone, because a Saviour has been born” (Luke 2 v 10, 11). And when Jesus started His ministry He said, “The kingdom of God has drawn near: repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1 v 15).

But why the gift of a Saviour and the need of repentance? When God made us He gave us two responsibilities which were to, “love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves” (Mark 12 v 30, 31). Sadly, by nature, we do neither, so as a result, our relationship with Him is broken. But the good news is that through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the resultant gift of the Holy Spirit, if we repent of ignoring Him and going our own way, we are forgiven, welcomed back, and are able to know and enjoy Him.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9 v 15)

            We wish you a very Happy Christmas 

                     and invite you 

              to our Christmas Day Service 

                       at 10.30am.