Here is a Christmas gift from a friend in neighbouring Lincolnshire (home of the Wesleys), who says she has been writing poetry for a long time.

Andrea Macrow has been a believer in Jesus since she was a child of eleven nearly 70 years ago. She came to know Him at a small mission church on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. Her late husband Eric, who was Jewish, also became a believer as a child.

I have come to know Andrea and her family at regular so-called One New Man meetings celebrating the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and encouraging reconciliation between Jew and Gentile.

The great hymn-writer Charles Wesley, who was brought up with his brother John at a nearby village, would no doubt have been proud of Andrea’s heartfelt offering of worship to the Lord.

Emmanuel – ‘God with us’ 

Bethlehem’s town was busy yet silent.
Inns were alight as the visitors feast;
In darkened streets there were few passers-by.
Stables were filled with the sleeping beasts.
The hustle and bustle of man making merry
While out in a stable dark and cold
A woman gives birth to a moment in history
As to her heart her son gently holds.
God came that night, disguised as a baby.
Took human flesh and moved in with mankind.
Born in the squalor and grime of a stable,
Leaving His Father and glory behind.
God saw our need of a sinless Saviour,
God saw our need to be reconciled,
God’s Father heart is still calling the wanderers,
Calling to us who by sin are defiled.
This Christmas don’t leave Jesus out in the stable,
Welcome Him into your home and your heart.
For one day you will be standing before Him,
Will He give you a welcome, or bid you depart?
This day is the birth of the Saviour from glory,
Don’t leave Him out of your plans for today.
Without Christ the Saviour, Christmas means nothing
So open your heart and invite Him to stay.

 by Andrea Macrow

Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon; Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com; To the Jew First, A Nation Reborn, and King of the Jews, all available from Christian Publications International.