December 2008

What shall I buy them for Christmas? That is the refrain in many households at this time of year - or maybe you have finished all your shopping already, in which case you are ahead of most of us. One of the groups that can be hardest to choose for are nephews, nieces and grandchildren, to say nothing of their parents!

Have you thought of one of the many very good children's and young people's Bibles , or a book to help all age groups to pray. These can not only provide an excellent idea for a present, but also do three other things. Above all, a beautifully illustrated, readable Bible, a book of Bible stories, or a well produced DVD will encourage whoever receives it to actually turn to the Bible and enjoy it. The Bible is still the best seller of all time, but also probably far less read than it used to be. For too many people, sadly, it remains a book unopened on the shelf, gathering dust. No good! It needs to be read. It needs to be known and loved. It needs to be learnt from and studied.

Giving an appropriate translation of the Bible can provide a treasured gift and one containing the words of eternal life.

Secondly, giving a Bible or book of prayers allows you to talk about it to your nephews, nieces and grandchildren, and maybe read it to them if they are very young. Also it encourages you to pray with your family, perhaps praying aloud giving thanks for something that has happened to you that day, and asking them what they wish to give thanks for. Similarly asking them whom they wish to pray for, or what they want to say sorry for.

Thirdly, what better way is there of celebrating Jesus' birth than to give a book or something else that points to him and helps people learn more about him?

If you have already bought all your presents for Christmas, then wait until the next birthdays arrive.

We need to encourage one another, family and friends, to read and know our Bibles better and pray more. Christmas is a marvellous time to do just that.