Dec & Jan: Thoughts from Huw

Dear Friends,

      In all things, God is with us

In chapter one of Matthew’s Gospel verse 23 reads ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us.’

Our airports and roads will be busy at Christmas. People like to be home with family and friends, to enjoy the Christmas festivities. However while many get home an increasing number of people in our towns and cities have no home to go to. More and more homeless people will sleep on the streets, refugees fleeing persecution for their religious beliefs will be turned away at our borders and Food Banks will be in great demand as many people will depend on them to provide a Christmas meal – and meals after that. Sadly, many innocent women and children will suffer and die in the Middle East and Ukraine as the wars continue to shatter lives. 

The birth of Jesus took place in nothing but a stable. Subsequently, because of a threat on the life of Christ, the family fled to Egypt as refugees. The Christmas story reminds us of the vulnerability of people and the tragic circumstances people suffer. 

In the chaos of the world the message of the incarnation is 'God is with us.’ It may seem in tragic situations that God is with us least. However, the good news of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection revealed to us in the Bible is that in today's broken world, God is with us most.

Hilary, Lucy, Harrison and Elle, join me in wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

God Bless
Huw