'May it be to me, as you have said...'

Today has been another lovely Christmas in Karachi.

I arrived back after the Midnight Communion, and had a hot chocolate, with a nip of something to keep out the cold, after all the temperature had dropped to about 16 degrees Celcius!!

The this morning it was back to church for the Nativity. The children were wonderful and it was great to see them enjoying themselves as they retold teh Christmas story.

For there, after a quick change, it was to Kathy and Zulfi's once more for drinks and nibbles, Then to Judith and Bunny's for Christmas Lunch. I am very fortunate to keep being invited back. The food is always delicious and the company fantastic. We laugh and sing, well Bunny does and we have a very relaxing, very enjoyable time.

I have spent the last couple of hours calling various places in the UK and passing on my greetings and getting a low down on the current snow situation. I am now going to settle down with a drink and some 'Midlife Christmas' courtesy of Miss Victoria Wood.

One of the most challenging parts of the Christmas Story, for me, are the words above, spoken by Mary to Gabriel, after being told she would be the mother of Jesus.

Mary was probably no more than 14 years old when the angel came to her. She lived in a society where an unmarried mother faced being stoned. Yet when Gabriel outlined God's plan to her, her response was, 'I am the servant of the Lord. May it be to me as you have said.'

I have to be honest, this has not always been my response. There have been times when I have struggled to accept God's will and even time when ihave actively worked against. However, every time I hear Mary's words, I am challenged once again.

My prayer for 2010 is that I might be the servant of the Lord, and be as willing as Mary to accept God's direction of my life.

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be upon us, and remain with us and those for whom we pray,
this Christmas time and always, Amen.