And I love the expectation of finding three things in my bon-bon - a joke, a gift, and a party hat. Each of them remind me of the message of Christmas.

The joke reminds me of the joy of Christmas. A good joke makes us laugh; even a bad joke can bring a smile. And the message of the angel to the shepherds was “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” It was the news of the birth of the Saviour.

The bon-bon gift might be just a little plastic toy. I’ve even found a pair of nail clippers in one of mine.

It reminds of the gifts of the wise men, gifts fit for a king. It reminds us of the first Christmas present: the Son of God.

And the party hat might just be paper. It might look a bit silly, especially on Grampa.

But it comes in the shape of a crown. So it reminds us that the baby of Bethlehem grew into the man of Nazareth, Jesus the king of the Jews, the Lord of all the earth.

So grab your bon-bon and crack open your Christmas cracker.

And let the gifts inside remind you of the message of Christmas: the gift of the King who brings us joy.

Service times