The United Reformed Church Chesham

Dear Friends,

Every year Christmas comes quicker I am sure! It is such a special time of year for so many people. In particular, young children get extremely excited about gifts and Santa Claus and how he finds them in the whole world; how does he manage it?

At Christmas the Three Wise Men gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, each with a special meaning for a baby king. Gold was a gift for a king, frankincense, an incense burned in churches to show Jesus was divine and Myrrh a special oil.

In this world, we have a bounty of gifts, we have so many natural and beautiful areas, locally in the Chilterns to globally in all Continents.

Some verses from “All Things Bright and Beautiful”:-
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one:
A verse used in Canada …
The rocky mountain splendour,
the lone wolf's haunting call,
the Great Lakes and the prairies,
the forest in the fall.

And this year we have been blessed with the wonderful gift of crops of fruits; apples, pears, plums, blackcurrants etc etc. And also gardens have had such lovely colour until very late.

And forests in the fall - the colours this fall / autumn have been stunning in our area and I’m sure in Canada too!

I would also like to share a gift of kindness that I was so grateful to receive. A few years ago, my car broke down about 10 yards away from the Magic Roundabout in Hemel Hempstead. I waited outside the car in torrential rain - (for break down people to come to my assistance) - so was absolutely drenched, when after a while a young man approached and said he was going to take me to his hairdressers that he had just closed - he dried my hair which warmed me up enormously. That has been one of the best gifts I have ever received; the gift of kindness.

We near the end of this year and approach a new year, we pray for kindness, communication, hope for the future, in all countries throughout the world.

Through Advent we are lighting the candles every Sunday representing hope, peace, joy and love. So as we ready ourselves for Christmas Day and think about the year ahead, I hope we are all able to have some relaxation and enjoy time socially with friends and family.

Blessings this Christmas and all the very best for 2026.

Rona