Dear Friends

Maybe Christmas should be cancelled this year! The world doesn’t seem to be paying any attention, too busy with other things and the commercialisation seems to start earlier and earlier in the shops, besides I’ll never be ready in time!

All right so this is tongue in cheek, but this time of year is full of mixed emotions. The shortness of the days and the growing darkness can make us feel gloomy and pessimistic. There is much in our world which is good, but it is given less emphasis than the things we could weep over. This is the world into which we will welcome the Christ-child. What would Jesus make of all this and how will he survive? How can God enter such a world?

There never was an ideal world. Over 2000 years ago Mary brought her son to birth in a stable for there was no room for them, so far from their home country. Few heard and visited; angels, shepherds, wise men. Mary and Joseph fled their country straight after his birth, allowing the child to escape death at the hands of a jealous tyrant.

During this season of Advent we wait with Mary as she prepares to give birth to her son, the one who takes our human nature and fills it with the life of God. I cannot prevent Christmas happening and I would not wish to for God knows our nature and our world and still he chooses to come to us as a tiny, vulnerable baby; but also at the end of time.

Through all our preparations let us allow God to come to us as Mary did, so that Christ may make his home with us once again this Christmas, amidst those whom he has given us to love.

I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas.

Yours in Christ,

Ruth