As 2020 draws to a close, we have lived through one of the most extraordinary years in our lifetime.  In most years disasters and atrocious world events affect a significant number of people but for most of us we travel on regardless.  But Covid – 19 has affected us all.  As we move into the holiday season and hopefully work to recover from the trials of the past year, I think two mind sets are helpful for us.

The first is to keep it simple.  Let us strive to have a simple Christmas and January.  We have lived with enough stress this year I believe it is important that we dont put more stress on ourselves than need be.  Let us do a few things but do them well

Second let us all be gentle on ourselves and on one another.   The year has affected us all in different ways, and at this time we dont need to put more pressure on ourselves or others than need be.  The time will come for us to set goals, to push ourselves, but now is a time to treat ourselves well and not to expect too much of ourselves.

In all this we remember the words of Jesus, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest’. Matthew 11:28   By living simply and be being gentle on ourselves we can create time in our lives to come to Jesus to enable him to restore and strengthen us.