In the birth of a child, parents and onlookers glimpse the miracle of creation, a truth which at other times is less apparent becomes amazingly visible. In the birth of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the fulfillment of God’s loving purposes for us, for all his people, for those who do not know their need of God and those without a full experience of human love – because God is love and the archbishops this year have asked us to go to the heart of Christmas, and that is, of course, what lies at the heart of Christmas and in this Diocese, we have an opportunity to share that message of love in the way we celebrate Christmas, in the way we think about others: particularly the marginalised, particularly those who will hunger and thirst this Christmas, particularly those without a depth of experience of human love, and particularly those in particular need and those continuing to suffer from COVID and all its many ramifications. If we go to the heart of Christmas, then our message can truly be from the heart, and we will give joy and encouragement and love to others.
I wish you and those you love the peace and joy of Christmas.
