Good News of great joy…!
Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la la…!! We all like a bit of
festive cheer. This was being discussed on local radio recently, and I
heard people say that they put their lights up early in November to try
and lift their spirits and counter the gathering gloom and the cold of
winter. Others were protesting – it’s far too early!
Truth is – many find Christmas and New Year a very difficult and lonely
time… others seem to have everything and are surrounded by the perfect
family… while they brace themselves for a challenging few friendless
days when everything they normally do stops.
We do what we can to make a difference and provide some support to
those who struggle – the Foodbank Reverse Advent Calendar is an
excellent idea. Eve at the Catholic Church is doing a Christmas Lunch…
and many have contributed to the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal –
Operation Christmas Child.
All good stuff – and we are making Mountbatten the focus of our
Christmas appeal to support their wonderful work with those suffering
with terminal illnesses, and with their families.
We are bearers of the best news of all – the birth of Jesus as the
promised Saviour of the World – the Messiah (Christ) the Lord. His
coming, and then his death and resurrection, comprise the great hinge
point of history and marked the progression from the Old Covenant
promises with Israel to a New Covenant that brought home God’s love to
all the people of the world – to every race, tribe and tongue.
Jesus, the King of the Jews, was also the hope of all nations. The
angelic message of great joy to all the people touched the lives of
humble shepherds who lived on the very edge of Jewish society - and also
reached the wise men who were drawn from a far-off land to come and see
the newborn king and to worship him.
The inclusion of such people in the narrative gives hope to us all when
we perhaps feel unworthy of being invited in, or too far off to be
included in God’s family. It also gives us in the church a mandate to
take the good news of Jesus to people far and wide and to let them know
that he came for them too.
The roof tops are not just the domain of Santa – Jesus encouraged his
followers to declare his good news openly and courageously:
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered
in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
(Matt 10:27)
May we all be a source of great joy over this whole festive season,
Janet joins me in sending our love best wishes and wishing you a
joy-full Christmas and a hope-filled New Year,
