How are you sharing hope with your friends and neighbours this Christmas? A card, a friendly chat, carol invitation or a free mince pie, can begin friendships and open up moments to share Jesus. Share with us what you are doing.

Every year the residents at the other end of her street switch on their Christmas lights together at a little celebration in early December. This time, Christine from Great Baddow decided she would be involved.

 

After a tough few years, Christine felt that she wanted to thank her neighbours for the practical help they offer her, in her illness, and the consideration they had shown when her husband died.

 

However this is one woman who uses every opportunity to point to the goodness of God and she wanted to remind people of the reason for the season.

 

She sent each household a ‘Jesus – the gift of HOPE’ card with a short message of thanks and an explanation that the display is motivated by a tangible hope.

 

From her days as a school teacher she brought out the puppets and made an impressive ‘Puppetivity’ depicting the holy birth and managed to create a massive

J E S U S in Christmas lights alongside an earth with a HOPE logo on it. “To u with love”

 

“When I got the decorations out I realised that I had never expected to live to see another Christmas and I am so thankful.”

 

“Mary in denims and a hat is a bit unconventional but it’s definitely better than a huge lit up Santa!”

 

As the residents gathered, she chatted with people and immediately people wanted to look at the display and chat to her, after receiving the card. Talking frankly about her difficulties, but the hope she has through her suffering, opened up great opportunities.

 

She added: “I want people to know Jesus is the real deal and one neighbour opened up to me about their struggles too, which was really positive.”