Take heart!

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7.14

No, it's not Christmas but what we celebrate at Christmas deserves bearing in mind throughout the year: that in Jesus, God came to live among people and, from Jesus, we have received the Holy Spirit - as our permanent companion. Immanuel means "God with us" and that means always and everywhere. May that thought put a spring in your step today!

Here's a prayer:

God of today and every day,

bless you for your availability;

that, while glorious in the heavens,

you have made yourself present on the earth.

Fortify us for honest and thorough confession,

so there may be no place for sin in our lives;

neither let there be resentment towards those who have wronged us.

Instead, overflowing with gratitude,

make us ambassadors for grace,

eager to go the extra mile - to build and rebuild bridges

as often as required, for as long as it takes.

And may the glory be yours. AMEN