I wonder what weather February has in store for us in 2019. Whatever the weather we, as proud Brits, will be talking about it. I gather the Beast from the East has not done with us yet.

But right now snowdrops are in full bloom; daffodil bulbs have sprouted and some are in bud. Even in the darkest and dreariest times there are signs of new life, and signs of hope.

That, of course, is the message of Christianity – that God is with us always; that he loves us without condition and without limit; that we can ‘cast our burdens’ on the Lord, knowing that he will bear them for us.

What a friend we have in Jesus!