IN all our busy preparations for Christmas, may we all pause to remember what we're celebrating.

The politically correct brigade are trying to take Christ out of Christmas which, when you think about it, is ridiculous because then you have nothing left.

It is like taking the manger scene out of the Bible story but if you do that, there is no story.

God with us. That's the message of Christmas.

In spite of all our selfishness and sin, God in His love chose to come among us, to be born like one of us, tiny and vulnerable.

And in that manger is our hope because He came to be our Saviour.

He was born to die upon that cross, to take upon Himself the world's sin, which includes yours and mine.

And if we all repent and open our hearts to Him, then He will forgive us and fill us with His love and joy and peace.

So no matter what the world tries to do, they'll never take Christ out of Christmas because He is at the heart of it.

Happy CHRISTmas.

The Rev ANDY KELSO

Christ Church,

Matchborough