Dear Friends,
As the expansionist quest continued the subjugated people within the Roman Empire made
the journey to their hometowns to register in a census that was taking place – Among them
was the heavily pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph, making the arduous journey from
the village of Nazareth to Bethlehem. They travelled for days on end through hazardous
terrain, with threat from thieves and wild animals that roamed freely. Arriving at their
destination exhausted and feeling vulnerable, they discovered that all that was available for
Jesus’ birth, was a place fit only for animals, with inadequate sanitation, and little food and
water. They must have wondered what the future would hold.
Then as now, the quest for power and expansion with the ensuing violence, terror, and
oppression continues in many parts of the world: The resultant effect of this is that
individuals and families, are forced to travel against their will shifting from one place to the
next, seeking shelter and safety, not knowing when or if ever, it would be safe for them to
return home. Like Jesus’s birth in a stable, so children are born and raised in makeshift tents
lacking basic amenities, with parents wondering what the future would hold for their
offspring: This situation is not helped by nations not only amassing weapons, but they
cannot even agree over what truth, justice, equality and environmental protection really
means.
Friends in the current climate we long for light to penetrate the darkness in our troubled
world. We yearn for a peaceful world where there are no more wars, hatred, injustice,
oppression, violence, intimidation, poverty, hunger, and environmental disasters. As
Christians, the reason for Christmas should give us hope as we are reminded of God’s
outgoing love, generosity, and care, revealed to us through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus came
as one of us, allowing himself to be vulnerable and broken for us, sharing human
experience: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Sharing human
experience is what Jane experienced on a group tour of a cave. Even though the tour guide
had some light to show them the way, she describes the cave as: it was not only dark, but I
could feel the darkness surrounding us. Then the tour guide asked the group to hold hands
while he switched off the only light there was. She says: the darkness was overwhelming,
but I felt reassured by the warmth of the hands holding on to mine. Knowing that I was not
alone and that it was a shared experience was like shedding light into the darkness.
As we celebrate Christmas and journey into the new year, let us look for fresh opportunities
to hold hands with each other, and be the light and hope that we can be wherever we are
and in whatever way possible.
Also at this time, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially
those who have suffered bereavement during the year and with those who are ill or going
through a difficult phase. You are not forgotten. May you know God’s special portion of
hope and strength today and always.
Wishing you a Christ-filled Christmas and a blessed 2025
Irene
A thought for the New Year :
