 though the first item of business this afternoon is Time for Reflection and our Time for Reflection leader today is Reverend Susan Henderson in required United Reformed Churches. голос and members of the Scottish Parliament thank you for the opportunity to address you today. Ten days ago, the clock struck midnight we all wish those around us a happy new year. Some have decided to have a happy new year new year they would need to make changes to the way they live and so resolutions were made. But ten days on, how many of those resolutions have been kept and how many are broken already? How many of us chose not to make any resolutions this year because we know that they become unrealistic once we are out of the holiday season and the stresses of our everyday lives are back with us again? During the Christmas season, churches around the world have lit candles which symbolise hope, peace, joy and love as we wait for the Christ's light to return to us once more and also as we waited for the Christ child to be born in us and on Christmas day we lit the centre candle, the Christ's light, as we rejoiced in our saviour's birth. This candle will remain with our churches throughout the year as a reminder of that hope, peace, joy and love that we long for. This year for most churches we will be reading through the gospel of Matthew. Matthew shows us a Jesus that looked to those in the margins and challenges us to give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, to welcome the stranger to take care of the sick, to visit those in prison because we can see Christ in the faces of those people. In other words, to spread hope, peace, joy and love to one another in our communities and in our world. However, this year have we already packed that hope, peace, joy and love away with the Christmas decorations only to be remembered when we unpack them all again next year? Or are they like the forgotten bought presents still at the back of a cupboard waiting to be wrapped and gifted? Or can we find our Christ's light and whatever that may mean to you to keep burning throughout the year that reminds us to bring that hope, peace, joy and love into the lives of those who are marginalised, those who are sick, those who hunger and thirst for a better life and to also help us with our own resolutions to bring a happy new year for ourselves and to everyone around us? Thank you.