Merry Christmas! Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett invite us to celebrate the eternal gift of Jesus. Today is about the birth of our saviour, a message that is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. God sending his son into the world! "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace" ( Isaiah 9:6 ). May this season inspire us to share his grace and love with others every day.

A classic novella that keeps on giving. Photo courtesy Nadia Worthing. BY ANDREA REDFORD Are you a re-reader? Generally speaking, I’m not. As I see it, there are so many good books out there waiting to be read, and so little time to read them!   But there is one book I make an exception for: Charles Dickens’ classic novella A Christmas Carol .   I was given a gorgeously illustrated version of the book many years ago and I’ve read it most Decembers since. Every year I find it as compelling and enjoyable as the first time I read it.   And I’m hardly alone. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visit from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future eclipses all other Yuletide stories in popularity. Old Ebenezer’s phrase, “Bah humbug” has been adopted as an expression of disgust for all things Christmas, and the very name Scrooge has become a byword for a mean or miserly person.   But to use Scrooge’s name in this way is to do Dickens’ protagonist a great injustice. From a man who has no love for Christmas, children or anything fun or joyful, Scrooge becomes a model of generosity and kindness.   Apart from a big fright, each ghost gives Scrooge a new perspective on his life. For the first time, he sees his “fellowmen” as they really are, and he sees himself as he really is. The reality is sobering, but the consequences are transformational. The man who once abhorred Christmas now promises to “honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year”.   With Jesus’ birth came the opportunity for the world to see God in an entirely new way. And, just like Scrooge, those who embraced this new perspective were transformed from the inside out.   I don’t plan to stop my annual A Christmas Carol tradition any time soon. For me, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE   “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere. The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst   Are full of passionate intensity.”   The excerpt from the famous poem above, The Second Coming , was written by Irish poet William Butler Yeats in the wake of World War One, unrest in Ireland and the dual Russian Revolutions of 1917. If you remember it, perhaps from school poetry classes, you know that it goes on to describe a ‘rough beast’ who ‘slouches towards Bethlehem to be born’.   It’s a bleak poem borne of a bleak time. Feel familiar?   I’m a lover of poetry. While my classmates groaned over Plath and Owen and Prufrock, I found meaning and a sense of camaraderie in the use of poetry to express feeling, politics, hope, grief.   Yeats’ sad tale of a beastly Saviour’s birth, while fictional, could easily feel true in this time. War. Famine. Ongoing pandemic. Economic struggles. Housing unaffordability. Conflict and calamity in Jesus’ country of origin. There is no room at the inn this year for not just Jesus but also almost 190,000 of his children waiting for social housing in Australia.   A traditional Christmas dinner surrounded by family is for many a far-off dream, the stuff of paintings and poems and not reality.   One of the reasons I love poetry is that it tells a story not just of the feelings of the poet, but it can also give us a snapshot of the world at that point in time. For instance, Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud marks a time when poets revelled in a feeling of connectedness to the planet, creativity and joy.   This was a kind of protest aimed toward the Enlightenment-era focus on reason, science and an increasing focus on productivity. in Nigeria, Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation tells of the frustrating realities of racism in the 1960s.   Reading how suffering has been a constant throughout history can remind us that the sense of hopelessness we may be feeling is not new. Humanity has been facing war, famine, injustice and grief since the beginning of time. As much as we can, let’s imagine this Christmas as a coming together, while the world burns around us, to feast on hope and the promise of community with Jesus.   Joy in times of crisis Something i have been pondering this year is what joy looks like in a time of crisis. Where can we still find that satisfaction that really comes from knowing no matter what happens to you, you are loved, and your life has meaning. That you really belong.   I find again and again, I come back to Jesus.   Before he died, Jesus comforted his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them to live forever with him. The belonging we find in Jesus is not just metaphorical or spiritual, it is real. We have an actual home with him. And all are invited.   We need more housing solutions. We need to seek justice for all. We need to ensure that wealth inequality, civilian deaths and discrimination against minority groups are all problems that are recognised and addressed with better policies and cultural shifts.   Eternity’s promise And we do all this with a basis of hope that comes from knowing the promises God has made. He has made room for us, so we can make room for others. He has offered us mercy and grace, and so we pour that out to those around us. As much as we can, let’s imagine this Christmas as a coming together, while the world burns around us, to feast on hope and the promise of community with Jesus.   The late American writer Rachel Held Evans evoked the concept of a feast when speaking of the global church: “The church is God saying: ‘I’m throwing a banquet, and all these mismatched, messed-up people are invited … This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes.’”   Seeking joy this Christmas just might mean recognising our hunger, coming together and feasting on the enduring promises of God. Community, now that’s a radical antidote to hopelessness!

BY CLAIRE HILL When you have a new baby, there are lots of exciting firsts – first smile, first steps, first words. There’s also the first Christmas – a chance to set new traditions. I remember my husband and I discuss­ing what our family traditions would be. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. One of the decisions we faced was, “What type of Santa stocking will our children use and where will they put it?” My husband grew up in northern England where his Santa stocking was a football sock. He would lay it on top of the sofa, and Father Christmas would fill it with goodies – including a mandarin, a sugar mouse and a gold coin.     By contrast, I grew up in the inner west of Sydney, where we put empty pillow­cases on the ends of our beds. When we went to sleep the pillowcases were flat, but when we woke up, they were plump – full of presents.   After some pleasant negotiations, my husband and I decided our children would place small, red Santa sacks on the back of the sofa.   New traditions Over the years, our family has set up a variety of Christmas traditions. They have bonded us, focused us on Jesus, passed on values and brought us deep joy.   I don’t know about you, but some­times when I hear about other people’s Christmas activities, I get tempted to do those too! In December, pictures of happy families pour into my Facebook feed.   I see photos of one friend making gingerbread houses with her children. There is flour everywhere, but the smiles are giant. What a precious memory for the children!   As I scroll on, I see a family visiting the Christmas exhibition at Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building. The children marvel at the magnificent centrepiece – a 20-metre-tall tree that covers three floors. Their little faces are lit up by the lights and it looks magical.   So many wonderful ideas. Part of me wants to do them all! Christmas is such a special time, and I want my kids to enjoy it to the full. I want them to build up memories they will treasure forever. But I know that trying to tick off every Christmas activity under the sun would be super stressful. Not to mention unaffordable! And, if I’m honest, I have found that when it comes to Christmas activities, it’s about quality rather than quantity.   I recently sat down with my kids and asked them which of our Christmas traditions they love. Miss 8 loves “the night when we visit the Christmas lights and get Macca’s ice creams on the way home.” Master 11 loves “decorating the tree while the carols play.” When I think about these annual moments, my whole heart smiles. They are times when the four of us are together, relaxed and undistracted. Quality time.   Parenting expert Maggie Dent says family traditions are very important. They “have a secret capacity to bond and strengthen loving connections.” But Maggie stresses that “it’s not about what we do – it is about how we be.”   This is such a helpful reminder as Christmas rushes closer. We can create priceless memories by spending time with those we care about – and it doesn’t need to cost anything. Looking at shop windows together, stroll­ing down the street saying ‘Happy Christmas’ to those we see, lounging on a picnic rug at a carols event, sitting side by side in church – no matter what traditions we choose, slowing down and connecting with each other is key. So, this Christmas, I will resist the urge to do more. Instead, I will savour the traditions we have – keeping the focus on Jesus and connecting with family. And I will relax, knowing that that is enough.

The Carols in the Park event in Adelaide was a time of joy for young people in need. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   Salvation Army Youth Homelessness Services in South Australia partnered with Rev Church (Revolution Church) in Adelaide to host a Christmas Party for young people in need. The third annual Carols in the Park event was open to clients of The Salvation Army’s Youth Services, those that Rev Church support over Christmas, and the wider community.  A mechanical bull was a popular attraction. “In the past we were running Carols by Candlelight in our carpark and also a carnival event,” says Nathan Casey, Corps Officer at Rev Church. “We combined the two ideas and youth services were involved as well. We want to celebrate Christmas and really do something for those kids.”    The Carols in the Park event offered carnival attractions, activities with inflatables, face painting and the festive challenge of a mechanical bull. Rev Church’s music team provided music for the carols service.   “People come to Rev Church for the Salvos’ Christmas Cheer and to receive assistance,” Nathan says. “We don’t want it to just feel like a handout, so we invite people to come along. It’s a sausage sizzle, a carnival, a Christmas event. It’s a way for them to be part of community.”    The Salvation Army's Christmas Cheer program provides food and gifts to those in need during the Christmas season. The program brings hope and joy to those who are struggling, distributing thousands of toys and hampers across the country.  Over 300 people attended last year’s Carols in the Park event.  We want to make sure it feels like Christmas for them. We want to spark joy and do something that feels like family. That’s the whole thing.”   The event “is great for young people that are clients of youth homelessness,” says Sarah Green, Ministry Assistant at Rev Church. “They meet other young people. It connects people within the community and is available for free to all the public. One of the clients even came along and sold their artwork at last year’s event.”  Candles were provided for the carol singing. Australia is experiencing a housing crisis that is contributing to more people being put at risk of losing their homes and experiencing homelessness. Cost-of-living and market changes post-COVID have meant increasing challenges for those needing shelter. The Salvation Army supports many facing homelessness at Christmas time, with young people often becoming the most vulnerable.    “The real gift isn’t the toys,” says Sarah. “The real gift is belonging and dignity. We’re not just putting stuff on a table to grab, but for people to be seen, to connect and to be part of something that’s bigger. We want young people to know that we really care about them.”     “These are just kids,” Nathan says. “We have young people in our youth services, they might be 15 or 16, but they’re still kids. Some spend Christmas Day at a shelter, with almost no one. We want to make sure it feels like Christmas for them. We want to spark joy and do something that feels like family. That’s the whole thing.”     The third Carols in the Park took place at Harry Weirda Reserve on Saturday 14 December.

As Christmas approached and we moved through the Advent season, I began to see nativity scenes put on display and also had some Christmas cards arrive in the mail. Add in the singing of a certain Christmas carol, and I’ve been reminded of the ‘kings’ who presented their gifts to Jesus (somewhere, sometime, depending on Church tradition and what Scripture says).   I wondered – as I’m prone to – what it would have looked like if the three ‘kings’ were Salvos. Apart from the minor detail that Jesus was born more than 18 centuries before the Army began, it’s an interesting hypothetical to ponder.   Will: Hello Mary, Joseph. My name’s Will, this is Bram, and this is Herbie. We’ve come to present some gifts to young Jesus here, and a fine-looking lad he is.   Bram and Herbie: [shouting] Hallelujah!   Mary: Shh, he’s sleeping.   Bram and Herbie: [whispering] Hallelujah!   Will: We’ve travelled a long way to find this child and we have presents fit for a king.   Joseph: Oh, that’s nice. I hope they’re something he’ll find useful and enjoy.   Bram: Most certainly, good sir. Here, for him, I present this Besson Prestige cornet. It has a hand-hammered, yellow-brass bell; top-sprung, hand-lapped Monel piston valves; three slide triggers, and it comes with a hand-made, wood-constructed case with brass-plated locks.   Joseph: Oh … goody … a cornet. That’s what a carpenter’s son needs. A short, fat trumpet. Nothing like our little noisemaker having a little noisemaker.   Herbie: I present to this precious child a Salvation Army flag handkerchief that can be waved vigorously during times of worship and stored conveniently in the pocket when not in use.   Mary: Right. Just two questions: first, what’s a pocket? And second, why does it say ‘BLOOD & FIRE’? He’s not a pirate; he’s a child.   Herbie: Well, the ‘fire’ refers to the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the ‘blood’ refers to the … well, never mind. It’s a nice hankie.   Will: And I present to the child this songbook of stirring anthems and traditional hymns and modern songs of praise and worship.   Joseph: A book? What’s that?   Will: It’s like a scroll, cut up into small pieces and stacked together in order.   Joseph: Well, that seems a bit much to carry around. Wouldn’t it be more convenient just putting the words up on a wall for everyone to see, like at Belshazzar’s feast in the book of Daniel?   Herbie: [laughing] Oh, such a rich idea. No one will want to do that when they can carry the words around with them. Funny fellow.   Will: And, so, we leave these gifts for the child – a cornet, a small flaggy thing and a songbook – we pray he finds joy and worth in these gifts.   Mary: We thank you, fine sirs, and wish you safe travels on your return.   Will: Farewell. Oh, and by the way, those gifts are for his birthday and for Christmas.   Bram and Herbie: Hallelujah!   Major Mal Davies is the Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division

In Australia, we have this magnificent, rich history of giving our Christmas Day offering to support our International Development ministries,” shares Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander. “This year, we have this wonderful opportunity to give towards building healthy communities in Malawi, Africa.”   The building of eight accessible and environmentally friendly toilet blocks connected to health centres will give thousands of vulnerable people, particularly women and girls, a sense of safety, wellbeing and dignity and an improvement in sanitation, health and education. It will bring hope for the future. To donate online, please click here . To watch Commissioner Miriam's message, click on the video below.

Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women's Ministries, reflects on the gift of hospitality and welcome. As we reflect on the birth of Jesus, I have verses from the gospel of John on my heart: “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognise him … The Word became human and made his home among us” (John 1: 10, 14). In the Message paraphrase, Eugene Peterson puts it this way: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.” God, the Creator of everything, stepped into his creation, entering the world he spoke into existence with nothing more than a baby’s cry. And the incredible part? Most people didn’t notice. Imagine that – the Maker of the universe, walking among them, and they missed it! But here’s the thing: we get to see it. We get to embrace the wonder of God coming close, and we’re invited to welcome him now. To see Christ in the places we may be tempted to overlook, and to open our hearts and homes to him. I wonder what ‘hospitality’ means for you this Christmas. I’ve been contemplating this definition from material produced by Spiritual Life Development earlier this year: “Hospitality is the consideration of others that allows us to welcome God in person.” It’s about creating space in our lives for people – the stranger, the neglected and rejected, as well as those we do daily life with. Quite simply, it’s about loving our neighbour. The world is waiting for us to show up, to reflect the light of Christ in our neighbourhoods. Let’s not miss the opportunity. Just as the Word moved into the neighbourhood, we’re called to move into ours. Not necessarily with grand gestures, but with humility, with peace, with intentional acts of kindness. We might share a meal, offer a listening ear, extend grace to someone who’s struggling. These moments don’t have to be flashy or perfect – our human lives rarely are – they just need to be motivated by welcome and full of God’s love. This Christmas, how can we move toward others the way Jesus moved toward us? How can we make space in our hearts and homes for the joy, hope, peace and love of Christ? What will it look like for you to be God’s hands and feet – especially to those who are missing him? In Luke’s gospel we read of Mary and Elizabeth – their joy at noticing, nurturing and making space in the most intimate of ways for their babies who would change the world. We, too, carry an incredible gift to nurture, to notice, to make space for. And this Christmas, I encourage you to be bold in your hospitality, in your love and in your service. The world is waiting for us to show up, to reflect the light of Christ in our neighbourhoods. Let’s not miss the opportunity. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. May you experience the presence of Christ in every moment and share that gift with others. To view this video, click on the arrow below.

General Lyndon Buckingham shares his 2024 Christmas Devotional. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14. King James Version General Lyndon Buckingham shares his Christmas 2024 devotional from The Salvation Army's recent Carol Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom.   “This Christmas, I invite you to be a channel of his peace,” the General says. “Begin with the inner peace that comes from knowing the Prince of Peace himself. Nurture peace at home, reflecting the love of God in your family. Extend peace to your community as Jesus did throughout his ministry and support peace in our world, answering the angels’ proclamation.” View the video here:

The night that Jesus was born was a night like no other. This week, Salvos Online is running a series entitled ‘Key players tell their side of the Christmas story’. Our writers are playing the roles of Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men, and imagining the Christmas story from their perspectives. BY MAJOR PHIL INGLIS   Some might call us consultants, advisors or gurus but I prefer a more descriptive name – ‘wise men’.   Some 30 or so years ago, my friends and I noticed the appearance of a certain star in a certain place. it suggested a subtle but profound shift in reality – a movement of power and authority away from the Romans and towards the Middle East. In the ancient Hebrew stories, we identified prophecies of the birth of a king that would drive this power shift. The stories and the stars together pointed us to Jerusalem as the capital around which this new power would be born and made manifest.   LONG JOURNEY This was a bit awkward as we were at war with the Roman Empire, and they were the current rulers of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, we felt that this was so important that we decided to go to Jerusalem. it was a long trip – made longer by the desert, military checkpoints and so on. The border crossing through no man’s land was particularly scary! It’s crazy how much war and violence regularly sweep across this land.   Finally, we arrived in Jerusalem and went directly to the palace. We told the king all about why we had come, and strangely enough, he had no idea what we were talking about. Frankly, he was a bit weird, paranoid and more than a little disturbed. He didn’t really believe us, and we feared for our lives, but he called in his own wise men who corroborated our story, and even better, they filled in some of the details we had missed.   They told us that, in fact, the place we were looking for was a few kilometres away, a town called Bethlehem, where the ancient King David was born.   We set off to Bethlehem, where we were pointed to the home of a family with a young toddler. We were welcomed into the home, and even though it was modest, the power of the place and the significance of the boy were unmistakable. We had travelled through warzones, deserts and all manner of difficulty, and now … completely unexpectedly, we were a little out of the way, in a little home with a little family looking at a little boy. The contrast was astounding and made my mind spin. Who would this boy be? What would he become? How will the world change?   GIFTS FOR A KING It’s always wise to take gifts to those who are going to rise to power and significance. Of course, I brought some gold – that makes sense, right? I mean, I wasn’t sure what that little boy would do with gold, but I understand that his parents took him on a trip to Egypt. My friends chose frankincense and myrrh to give. Frankincense is used a lot in the temples to anoint people as priests and religious leaders, and myrrh is used extensively in embalming the dead. These are fairly normal gifts for kings – but for this toddler?   But here we are 30 years later, and it turns out we were right. We’re hearing rumours of a man from Nazareth who was born in Bethlehem at that time, who has gained an incredible following. Frankincense would be totally appropriate now as he is a gifted speaker, a prophet or a priest, and his words are transforming the ancient Hebrew faith. The key to his teaching seems to be about a shift in wealth and authority – not a shift from Rome to Jerusalem, but a shift from the world to the heavens. Even more incredibly, the myrrh would have been useful, too … I heard that he was crucified, buried in a tomb but then was alive again a few days later! It’s all crazy. He’s shifted all the value and authority by completely redefining death and life, hope and despair and hate and love.   For me and my friends, the problem is how to advise the rulers. How do we explain this new world to them? How do we use the stories and the stars to prove that God's power is revealed in this man, Jesus? How do we explain the message without seeming like we knew all along?

BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM I had the privilege earlier this year of attending the Testify Congress in The Salvation Army’s USA Western Territory. That weekend had many highlights, but what stood out for me were the amazing stories of transformation. Men and women whose lives had been radically transformed when they encountered God’s love for them in the person of Jesus Christ. “For God so loves the world …’ Yes , I changed the tense. The verse actually reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16 New International Version ). Yet God’s love is as real, true and deep today as it was on that first Christmas Day. This remains the greatest evidence of God’s love and his plan for all people – the gift of his Son, the gift of our salvation – not just in the past, but for the present as well. This is the good news we celebrate at Christmas. That news was first declared by the prophet Isaiah long ago: “ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7 King James Version ). The angels declared it again at the birth of Jesus: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.   This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’” (Luke 2:8-14 NIV ). The Bible tells us that the shepherds immediately went to where Jesus was, and after seeing him, they began to spread the word right away. I love that! They immediately began to share their experience. The shepherds recognised Jesus for who he was – their Saviour – and they lost no time in going out and sharing the good news. What a testimony! Since then, believers have carried on the mission of spreading the word of God’s saving, forgiving, and redeeming work through his Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I saw and heard evidence of this at Testify – people sharing the good news of God’s transformative power in and through their lives, just as the shepherds did on that night so long ago. In his book Sacred Risk , General Shaw Clifton (Rtd) writes: “Christmas is summed up in Jesus. The very name of Jesus serves through all history to declare that there is a Saviour. It follows logically, therefore, that if there is a Saviour it is because we need to be saved. However, even before we realise our need, the Saviour is there. It is he who reveals to us our deepest needs, gently urging us by his Holy Spirit to make a response to his offer of salvation. Christmas is therefore discovering or rediscovering or reaffirming Jesus as Saviour, and in discovering him we discover ourselves and our true condition.” God can still change the hearts of men and women and make them live again. And like the shepherds, we can testify of that good news with those around us. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, let’s ask God to empower us with Holy Spirit zeal to spread the word concerning Jesus so that still more might come to experience the love of God as revealed in the gift of his precious Son and our Saviour, Jesus, the Son of God. Commissioner Bronwyn joins me in praying God’s blessings for you this Christmas season. Lyndon Buckingham General

The night that Jesus was born was a night like no other. This week, Salvos Online is running a series entitled ‘Key players tell their side of the Christmas story’. Our writers are playing the roles of Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men, and imagining the Christmas story from their perspectives. BY FAYE MICHELSON   This little hill just outside Bethlehem is like sacred ground to me because of what happened all those years ago.   It was a night like tonight: clear and cold, with a bitter breeze chilling the bones and making the small fire flicker and sputter. Looking down, I can see the light gradually darkening as the townspeople settle down to sleep. But on that other night, that wonderful night, lights had been dotted all over Bethlehem until late as travellers arrived for the census.   A group of us had been on this very hill that night. Only two of us are left now, the others have died or moved on, replaced by younger shepherds. I look across the fire at him, my old friend, and meet his eyes. He, too, is remembering. it is more than a memory, though, it lives in my spirit like it is happening still. I feel goosebumps on the back of my neck as that night, that magnificent night, plays again in my mind …   “Bethlehem is crowded, thanks to Caesar,” one of the men remarked, looking down at the town lights. “I’m glad to be up here with the sheep away from it all.”   As the clear, cold night wore on, we watched the lights go out as the townspeople slept. it was quiet, apart from the occasional sheep calling out.   “That’s some bright star over there,” yawned one of the men, pointing to the town.   SUPERNATURAL LIGHT I grunted, not bothering to look. I’d seen plenty of stars after years of guarding sheep at night. I pulled my headscarf more tightly across my face to shield against the wind and gazed into the red and yellow flames.   The flames suddenly became gigantic, their intense colour surrounding us with blazing light. Instinctively, we sprang to our feet and saw the brilliant light was not from the fire. A huge, shining celestial being – an angel – seemed to rise from behind the hill, so dazzling we had to shield our eyes. it was the most terrifying, and the most glorious, thing I had ever seen.   “Don’t be afraid. I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Saviour – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem. How will you recognise him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!”   At that, the sky became even more brilliant as a multitude of angels filled the sky. God’s glory blazed around us as they sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to all those who please him.” * Their exquisite praise echoed around us; surely, the whole world had heard it. We fell to the ground.   They were gone.   THE FACE OF GOD For a moment, we were speechless, but not for long. We left our sheep and ran to Bethlehem. it seemed as if we had wings on our feet, running, running to find this babe the angel had told us about.   We found him, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. We told his young parents what we had witnessed, how we knew about their baby from an angelic messenger. Then we left them, buzzing with intense joy and gratitude to God. We told anyone who would listen to us what had happened.   I know my life changed that night. Gazing in awe at the tiny face of that babe, I knew what I had seen – the face of God. I looked over at my old friend. I could see the glorious memories reflected in his face, too, and we smiled.   * Luke chapter 2: 8 -14 ( The Living Bible )