My nan always used to say "Jan and Feb, Lowest ebb". And this winter, of all winters, we can feel all too keenly that low ebb, and the dearth of inspiration, energy and spirit.

Our Christmas tree lies forlorn in the front garden waiting to be taken to the tip, while most of the decorations are safely back in the loft – not counting that one bit of tinsel that hangs on in there! And are we the only ones who find one more Christmas card down the back of the settee?

So, to combat those miserable feelings, our nativity scene is still on display because the wise people have arrived - January 6, Epiphany - and they brought with them some beautiful gifts – sparkling gold, soothing myrrh and fragrant frankincense. Our nativity set will stay there til February 2, which is called Candlemas.

And, Christmas gifts will stay with us too – not just the shower gel and the socks, but the greetings from old friends and the memories they prompted – and those comfort us as the mornings become just that tiny bit lighter and the promise of vaccination comes closer.

And we know that, beneath the cold, hard, sodden earth, there are seeds and bulbs getting ready to push their way towards the sunshine – some are already showing - and they give us hope for the future. There are brighter times ahead.

Each day, as we notice something new, we will be reminded that God and the whole company of Heaven, angels, saints and our loved ones, are loving us, as always, and cheering us on, together into a new and brighter year.