CAN you believe that Christmas is now less than two weeks away.
I’m totally convinced that time is going faster than ever before.
The year seems like it’s flashed past at a great rate of knots, and here we are at Christmas time again.
I’m actually writing this while visiting the Philippines, where I’ve been for the past five days.
Apparently, I missed a great night of Christmas Carols in Atkinson Park this year.
Well done everyone that made it such a wonderful evening.
I want to say a big thank you to the Gannawarra Times for the opportunity to have this weekly contribution printed in our local paper.
In this day and age of electronic media and online publications, it’s so good that our community still has the ability to read about the happenings in our community and surrounding region in printed format.
Thanks for the church news section and the privilege of being able to contribute each week.
One of the reasons I’ve been in the Philippines this week was to celebrate a wedding.
I love weddings, and I have to say they really know how to celebrate a wedding here in the Philippines.
One of the other great events this week has been a birthday celebration, and that’s been so much fun.
Catching up with the many friends that gathered together to celebrate has been awesome.
I made my first trip here in 2002 and this one is my 17th visit.
Needless to say, I love the people here so much and have made so many amazing friends over the years.
This brings me to the Christmas celebrations just around the corner.
The Christmas decorations are on display here in the Philippines, just like back home and all around the world.
What a great time of the year, where people get together on a very special day that has been set aside to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
While not everyone recognises that this day is special nonetheless, they are able to take the time off and enjoy the celebrations with family and friends, which has to be a great thing.
So, I hope you have a great Christmas wherever you will be celebrating this year.
Enjoy being with your family and friends and remember that right around the world people will be doing the same.
I would ask you to consider the first Christmas when Jesus Christ was born and set us on the journey to where we are today – Christmas 2019.
This will be my last contribution to the Gannawarra Times church news page as I am retiring early next year.
My time here in Kerang has been a part of life we will never forget.
Again, God bless you all in the days, months and years ahead.
