My son reminded me the other day of a lesson I frequently forget.

He saw an amazing sunrise in Aberdeen. He walked towards it and saw dolphins jumping in the sea close by. If he had not looked, or responded to what he saw, he would not have found the sunrise or the dolphins.

I wonder what you miss out on? Of course, most of us live in a landlocked place where it’s more cloudy than not. Today, even though I am looking out, there is no chance of a sunset. But what do I see, what is in front of me? A Christmas tree, a warm blanket on my knees and a box of shortbread friends gave us this morning. My niece came to walk our dog. Sometimes there might not be dolphins and the sun may rise without spectators. But, good things are so close, if you watch for them.

This Christmas time, I truly hope you are able to notice gifts all around you. They may not be wrapped in glossy paper, but they are there for you to enjoy. If you drop your head in despair, let me point you to the timeless, best gift of them all- it started with an unremarkable baby and finishes with the universal gift of life everlasting.