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Good morning – and it’s now ten shopping days before Christmas, so I hope your plans and purchases are well in hand. But many of us already know this Christmas isn’t going to be the kind of shopping bonanza most retailers were hoping for after all the recent restrictions. Lots of people simply don’t have the money to go out spending, whatever the bargains currently on offer, while others are asking themselves what’s the point of buying new things which they don’t need or new clothes which they’re not going to be able to go out and wear. There’s already evidence of reduced levels of borrowing reflecting a lack of confidence as people look to build up savings to be ready for whatever the future may bring.

But maybe there’s also a brighter side to this. Alongside our coronavirus fears there’s a growing awareness and concern about climate change. This week marks 5 years since the Paris climate agreement at which governments and businesses committed themselves to binding targets to reduce carbon emissions. Sadly, the planned COP26 Conference in Glasgow has had to be postponed for a year, but the pressure to reduce carbon emissions has only increased. One of the key factors driving this is the growth of ethical investment, the commitment of individual savers and fund managers to put their money not just where they can get the best return, but where socially engaged businesses can best preserve the earth’s resources. It’s about investing not just for a financial future but in the future of the planet. And investing in the future is a present we can all share this Christmas – and indeed anytime.

Heavenly Father, In our Christmas services we hear how you so loved the world that you spared not your only Son; help us in our planning not to lose sight of just how precious is the world he came to share and to save; for Christ’s sake, Amen.