This week in the run up to Christmas we've been reflecting on a simple biblical principle

that's actually applicable to the whole of life, but especially to this frenetic season

of the year. The principle that what we need in Jesus Christ is the expulsive power of

a new affection for him. I was thinking that this is true for us also if Christmas is a lonely

time for us, and it sometimes is that even when we're surrounded by other people, perhaps

some of us feel that the words of lamentations chapter 1 verse 12 are our words too.

Is it nothing to you or you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.

Because this Christmas we have a special personal burden that nobody around us really shares.

Perhaps if you've had some special loss this year, you may well feel that while the rest

of the world seems to have moved on, you're left on your own. But whatever our situation,

anxious and burdened, sad, or excited and full of eager anticipation,

what we all need is a new affection for the Lord Jesus, and that's not something we can work up.

Only the Lord Jesus Himself can give us that new affection through His Holy Spirit.

It needs to come from the outside to the inside and not the other way around.

I very rarely mention my family in public, it's a no-go area for us and especially for me,

especially if any of the family are present. They would give me a very hard time,

and I learned this lesson on one occasion when I said to our congregation that one of our children

had done something, and then I added, I won't tell you which one she is. I have three sons,

and only one daughter. I never made the same mistake again.

But I think I'm safe in telling you this story from our family history. It was Christmas season,

and in the Sunday school classes in church the children were making Christmas cards for their

moms and dads, and one of our young sons came home and cheerfully handed his creation to us.

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