Christmas Message from the Bishop of Chelmsford

Just to be in Bethlehem is a moving and amazing experience.  To meet some of the Christians in that town was a special joy.  As we stood in the square on a dark November evening outside the great church built over the cave where Jesus was born the message of peace and hope was overwhelming.

Yet this town is at the heart of the most disputed part of the Holy Land.  Many of its people and Christian leaders struggle to see where there is any hope.  Their desire and prayer for a just and honest peace for people of every race, history or religion, seems a distant dream.

There will be many people in our own country who, this Christmas, are struggling to find hope.  This is true for homeless people on the cold streets of winter and for homes where love and respect has died and been overcome by conflict and even domestic violence.  Hope is in short supply.

The message of Jesus, born outside the Inn to a young and vulnerable woman in an occupied land, has stirred up hope for multitudes across the centuries.  Especially is that true for those living in the face of deep personal and social struggle.   Without hope we are all lost.

That is why the celebration of Christmas is so important.  Forget winter festivals hold on to Christmas!   Whether it is our children reliving the nativity story or all of us singing the great carols that tell of the love that made this festival possible – let us all engage with this amazing truth.  God has made home with us!  Now let us open our homes and our lives to the love God brings in Jesus.

A very happy and joyful Christmas!

John
Bishop of Chelmsford

 

The Bishop of Chelmsford visited Israel and Paelestine as chair of Christian Aid last month. Read more on this story .