My annual address to the nation and the people of the Commonwealth

If only I was the Queen....
But I'm not.
I do however, know the King of Kings. Not only do I know Him, but I know He loves me, delights in me and 2000 years ago - as a testament to that love for me and all humanity - He came to Earth as a baby. Being fully God, He gave up all the glory and beauty of Heaven to live amongst fallen (but not forsaken) man.
And why is this so great?
For two reasons.

1. Easter.

When Jesus came to Earth, He lived amongst those He had had a part in creating, but He came to die first and foremost. When He gave Himself over to death, He took the sins of the world with Him to the grave and left them there; rising again to raise each of us with Him. Through Him we are free of our sin and all of the problems and suffering it brings - if only we in turn hand over control of our lives to Him.

2. His life on Earth.

The bible tells us that Jesus died in His 30s - He had lived as a human being - the only perfect human being, here on Earth all that time. That means that when we go to Him with our problems, the burdens of our hearts and souls, the temptations and failings, God is no distant or abstract figure. Through Jesus we know that God cares, understands our plight and can help if only we ask Him in to our lives. He has been there. He knows. He cares. He longs for us to care too.

Here's what the bible tells us about the birth of Jesus and how important His life will be:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9: 2 & 6-7

As is traditional, I've tried to look back on 2010 and sum up how it has been significant to my life as a whole...

It hasn't been a great year for relationships; either with Jesus or with people I know. It is always said of being a Christian that relationships require communication and the same is true of any friendship.
It is a sad fact of growing up that old friends lose touch and drift apart as they move onwards and upwards to new things. I often think of those people and recount the old days with a smile.
The same is true of not so old friends too... Tsk tsk.

Here are my other reflections on 2010:

O Money has been a significant issue this year. Lack of. Nevertheless, I've managed to redecorate my room and I love it. It makes me look forward even more to the day I have my own flat and my independance.

O I started work at Helenswood as an invigilator. My experience at Cantell is never far from my mind and nor are the students. Helenswood is different as are the team, but I like it there too.

O Sarah, Tom and I went away, abroad together for a week to Croatia. Sarah and I also went to Bosnia. Two fantastic countries and the holiday is a definate highlight of my...life so far!

O Applied for and got accepted onto the Open University study course for Early Years Professional Status - they only accept 53 students nationwide and they chose me! It took me the entire application process, including a trip to the Open Uni in Camden (love that place), to see that EYPS is not for me. Eventually I turned down the place and haven't looked back since.

O Keswick 2010! Awesome. Met some awesome new people and got reaquainted with some others. Got to hang out with great kids and young people (including a local youth called Dean)

O Didn't go to Momentum which is something I really and truly regret actually. I though I wouldn't mind, but I did. I really want to go next year - must find someone to go with for sure. Its crucial to my walk with Jesus, this week, I find.

O Bee & Matt and Izzie & Chris tied the knot, Emma & James had baby Harry and Isaac & Becky's baby is due in February! Congratulations all round!!

O Claimed a lot of Job Seekers Allowance and (especially in December) worked a lot at Argos!

O In 8 days I'll turn 23 and begin my 24th year on this Earth. What does the year ahead hold I wonder?

Here's a brief rundown of the next few days anyway...

Dec 21st: Argos 2pm-7pm
Dec 22nd: Argos 12pm-8pm
Dec 23rd: Christmas food shopping and decorating/tidying
Christmas Eve: Argos 9am-5pm
CHRISTMAS DAY: rest 8-)
Boxing Day: Argos 9am-5pm
Dec 27th (Bank Hol Mon): Argos 9am-4.15pm
Dec 28th (Bank Hol Tues): ChRiStMaS with Tom and Sarah in New Malden
Dec 29th: Shopping in the sales in Tunbridge Wells with Mum
Dec 30th - Jan 1st: Peaceful relaxing days with (as far as I know) no work! I have my b'day of for the first time in many years. Normal celebrations usually include cinema and eating out.
Jan 2nd: Argos all day (hrs tbc)
Jan 3rd (Bank Hol Mon): Argos 9am-5pm

That's enough to be going on with for sure!

I wish each and every one of you a peaceful, joyful Christmas and all the very best of everything for 2011.