Thursday 11th December 2025
Isobel Hunter
“… be a blessing and also get a blessing”
1 Peter 3:9 (MSG)
Out and back
How often have we been told that you get back what you give out? Scripture reminds us of the same truth in many ways: “what you sow is what you reap”; “be a blessing and also get a blessing”. Being a blessing to others is not just a gift for them—it is also the source of blessing for ourselves. Life is an echo: what you send out comes back.
But with just two weeks to go until Christmas, I doubt many children would find much comfort in such moral balancing! Still, there’s a joyful story that makes this truth come alive.
In September, newspapers reported that the number of German tourists visiting Scotland had almost doubled in the second half of 2024. Why? It seems that the welcome impact of the Tartan Army—our football fans—at the European Championships in Germany that June had inspired it.
Although Scotland’s team was knocked out early, the fans made a lasting impression: friendly, joyful, clad in kilts, playing bagpipes, laughing and partying alongside locals and opposition fans alike. They were, in their own way, ambassadors for their country. The German press joked about locals wanting to let the tyres down on the British Airways planes so that their new Scottish friends could never leave! By August, web traffic from Germany to VisitScotland.com had risen by a third.
So, Scotland’s reputation and its tourism industry reaped the benefit of the kindness, fun, and openness shown by ordinary fans. A far cry from the old stereotype of badly behaved football supporters. The Tartan Army gave joy, and joy returned to Scotland.
As Christians, we can learn from this story. We are preparing to celebrate the greatest gift ever given: the birth of Jesus, God incarnate in our world. What an astonishing blessing! How can we not give back in return—sharing his love, embodying his teaching, reflecting his joy?
The Tartan Army’s welcome spirit drew people towards Scotland. How much more should our welcome, our kindness, our joy in Christ draw people towards the God who loves us? Scots are not always famous for showing joy, but Christmas calls us to do just that. For we worship a God who came to live among us, and who left us his Spirit to comfort and encourage us.
This Advent, may we be a blessing—and may we receive in return the deeper blessing of knowing Christ born anew in us.
Shall we pray?
Loving God, we thank you for the blessings you pour into our lives. Teach us to share joy, kindness, and generosity so that others may glimpse your love through us. Help us to be a blessing in our homes, our communities, our world, and in turn receive the blessing of walking closely with you. Amen.