Thought for the Month

Contributed by Major Ian Robinson - Sheringham Corps

Whenever I drive back into Norfolk I am greeted by a sign that

says, 'Nelson’s County.' The good Admiral was born not far from

Sheringham in a little North Norfolk village called Burnham

Thorpe. Other famous people born in Norfolk include

Princess Diana, Robert Walpole (the first Prime Minister of

England), King George VI, the actors Rupert Everett and Sir

John Mason, and the novelist Henry Ryder Haggard.

Whenever I see the Norfolk sign I wonder if they’ll ever put a

sign at the Govan border which says, 'Govan – Ian Robinson’s

Town.' Probably not. No, make that definitely not. But when

people ask me where I am from I don’t hesitate to tell them, with

much superiority, "Govan!" Then I usually have to explain where that is. Nevertheless, it is a source of great pride for me to know that, like the sign on Sir Alex Ferguson’s desk, 'ACUMFIGOVAN.' Once a Govanite, always a Govanite.

Christmas is already upon us. Caroling is in full swing, with concerts and programmes galore, and at 7am on Christmas morning I will march through the streets of Sheringham playing with the band, “Christians Awake!” Apparently it’s an old tradition. And through all of this stuff we need to find time to celebrate the most important birth which took place two thousand years ago in another famous birthplace. The song by American Christian rock group Third Day puts it very well:

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem

I pray that you and I won’t be so busy this month that we miss the opportunity to worship Christ the Saviour. May God abundantly fill you with His joy and peace this Christmas.