Christmas: How silently the wondrous gift is given

As Advent - the great season of anticipation and preparation - draws to a close we arrive at the crib to celebrate Christ among us - the Word made flesh. Canon Christopher Thomas offers us a thought-provoking Christmas reflection. Silence lies at the heart of the ultimate Christmas gift, yet to speak of silence means to destroy it - to take away the peace. Canon Thomas weaves his reflection around a Christmas carol we've heard many times over the past few weeks 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'. "Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in." Mary and Joseph pondered the beauty of this child and marvelled at him. Canon Thomas encourages us to listen to the silence for that still, small voice 'I love you - I gave my Son for you': "In the silence of this holy night we can hear the beating of the heart of God and touch it with our souls. He desires to touch our hearts and souls with his immense love. If we pause at the crib - kneel and adore - the dear Christ will enter into our hearts, our families and our homes and we will all feel the real blessings of this Christmas night."