Rev’d Tim writes:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Let me begin by saying again how excited
and delighted I am to have officially started as the Priest-in-Charge of our
benefice. I am deeply thankful to everyone who helped to make my licensing and
welcome here so special. It has been great to meet so many people already and I
look forward to sharing this season of Advent together.
This time of year is a really exciting time for mission. Almost everyone
in our communities will be observing Christmas in some way and so it’s never
going to be easier to say a word or two about the hope that makes us, as Christians,
want to celebrate so much.
But what should we say? For me, the most important message I try to get
across at Christmas is the fact that God has come to meet us.
Many people have some sense of personal spiritual yearning, but aren't
quite sure what to do about it. Part of the good news of Christmas is that we
are no longer left in the dark about God. He’s not stuck up in heaven, shrouded
in philosophical obscurity. Instead, he has come and lived among us. He’s
become part of the human story, part of history.
Christmas therefore is not just
about sing carols in beautifully decorated churches. Rather, Christmas is a
chance to meet the God in whom all our spiritual hungers are satisfied. A God
who came in to the reality of everyday life and has let himself be known.
That’s the message we try to get across at Christmas.
So this year, take time to invite someone to a Christmas service. But
afterwards, take the time also to ask them what they thought of it. And in
particular, ask them what they think of the God who decided he wanted to move
in to a Bethlehem cattle shed to meet you.
God Bless
Rev’d Tim
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God with us”. Matthew 1:29
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