At Christmas we’re surrounded by promises of joy. Every year I want to believe them and every year I sort of fall for them.

Sparkling lights and glitter offer the joy of wishes granted, of dreams come true. Supermarkets promise the joy of a perfect family occasion round the table. Everyone is delighted, satisfied and content, and the darkness of the season and the difficulties of the year are forgotten.

It’s joyful, and so much of it is good. But of course it fades, because it’s not the whole truth about joy.

The truth is that on the first Christmas Eve just over 2000 years ago, God sent a messenger who said, ‘I bring you news of great joy….’ and told them about the birth of the child who is God. His name is Jesus and he came to stay. Because he loves you.

The joy of knowing you are loved forever changes everything. It is a joy that stays with us even when our lives aren’t filled with sparkle, or surrounded by loved ones, when it feels dark or when we don’t have enough. This joy is for life and not just for Christmas.